Dispute Over Dalai Lama’s Succession: China Issues Stern Warning to India

Tensions between India and China, already strained due to ongoing border issues, have escalated once again—this time over statements regarding the succession of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

According to Reuters, the Chinese embassy has made it clear that “the reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is purely China’s internal matter.”

Any position or interference from India on this matter could further damage bilateral relations, Beijing warned.

This statement from China comes just ahead of Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s scheduled visit to China on July 15 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Reuters reports.

This will mark the first high-level contact between the two countries since the deadly border clashes of 2020, in which at least 20 Indian and 4 Chinese soldiers were killed, according to Reuters.

Reuters also noted that recent celebrations marking the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday were held in India, with the participation of Indian ministers and officials, which deeply angered China.

The Dalai Lama has once again stated openly that China will have no role in his succession, a stance Beijing has condemned as a violation of its sovereignty.

According to a spokesperson at the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, “Issues related to Tibet (Xizang) are extremely sensitive. Playing the Dalai Lama card could become a liability for India. Such actions would be akin to India shooting itself in the foot.”

The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since the 1959 uprising against Chinese rule. His presence plays a significant role in India’s strategic calculus.

China has long viewed the Dalai Lama as a delicate diplomatic issue. India is home to around 70,000 Tibetan refugees and a Tibetan government-in-exile.

The issue of the Dalai Lama’s succession highlights that the India-China conflict extends beyond border disputes, adding a new layer of complexity and uncertainty to the region’s geopolitical dynamics.