Beijing urges New Delhi to honour commitments on Tibet, objects to ministers attending birthday celebrations in Dharamshala
China on Monday lodged a protest with India over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama and the participation of Indian ministers at his 90th birthday celebrations, asking New Delhi to respect Beijing’s sensitivities on Tibet-related matters.
“The position of the Chinese government on Tibet-related issues is consistent and clear,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a media briefing in Beijing.
Responding to questions about Prime Minister Modi’s greetings and the presence of Indian officials, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, at the birthday event, Mao said, “As is widely known, the 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long engaged in anti-China separatist activities and seeks to separate Xizang from China under the cloak of religion.”
Beijing refers to Tibet as “Xizang”.
“India needs to be fully cognizant of the sensitivity of issues related to Xizang, see clearly the anti-China and separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, honour the commitments India has made to China on issues related to Xizang, act prudently, and stop using those issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs. China has protested to India regarding its actions,” she added.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi had extended warm wishes to the Dalai Lama on his birthday. “His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life,” Modi posted on X.
Several Indian leaders, including Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Sikkim minister Sonam Lama, also attended the celebrations in Dharamshala.
China had earlier raised objections to Rijiju’s statement last week that the process of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation should be guided by the Tibetan spiritual leader’s own wishes. Beijing urged India to act cautiously on Tibet-related issues to prevent potential setbacks in bilateral relations.
Mao reiterated that India should clearly recognise what China views as the separatist character of the Dalai Lama and respect the understandings between the two countries regarding Tibet.
Last week, the Dalai Lama reaffirmed that the institution of the Dalai Lama would continue and asserted that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust holds the authority to recognise his reincarnation.
China maintains that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must strictly follow religious rituals, historical conventions, and Chinese regulations, including the use of the centuries-old practice of drawing lots from a ‘golden urn’ and approval by the central government. Mao said the current 14th Dalai Lama was recognised through this procedure.
Beijing insists that future reincarnations must comply with these protocols, which it considers essential to safeguarding its sovereignty. — With inputs from PTI
