Beijing: It’s no secret that India and China have been at loggerheads over the Dalai Lama issue.
China reacted angrily after Dalai Lama’s recent statement that only a trust set up by him can select his successor. Even as Dalai Lama’s remarks were endorsed by Kiran Rijiju, who attended the spiritual leader’s birthday celebration in Dharamshala a week ago, Beijing said that the next Dalai Lama would have to be approved by the Chinese government.
Now, China has voiced its concerns over India’s stand on Dalai Lama’s successor.
Ahead of External Affairs minister S Jaishankar’s first visit to China since the border clashes in Ladakh in 2020, China on Sunday said that Tibet-related issues such as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama are a “thorn” in bilateral relations and have become a “burden” for New Delhi.
Jaishankar will be travelling to China to participate in the Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bloc in Tianjin.
The two countries are currently engaged in normalising relations after agreeing in October to end the military standoff in Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
Chinese embassy spokesperson Yu Jing said on social media that members of the strategic and academic communities, including former officials, had made “improper remarks” regarding the reincarnation of Dalai Lama. Such professionals, she said, should be “fully cognisant of the sensitivity of issues related to Xizang,” using the name by which China refers to Tibet.
Yu said the succession of Dalai Lama is “inherently an internal affair of China, brooking no interference of any external forces.”
“In reality, Xizang-related issue is a thorn in China-India relations and has become a burden for India. Playing the ‘Xizang card’ will definitely end up shooting oneself in the foot,” she said.
Also Read: Freedom In India Has Allowed Tibetan Buddhism To Flourish: Dalai Lama
Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong had earlier said that Chinese government regulates religious affairs involving national interests. Accusing the Dalai Lama of engaging in “anti-China separatist activities”, Xu said, “Chinese government opposes any attempts by overseas organisations or individuals to interfere in or dictate the reincarnation process.”
Xu added firmly, “No interference by any external forces will be allowed.”
After China took strong exception to the Dalai Lama’s recent announcement, India’s External Affairs ministry said that the government does not take any position or speak on matters related to beliefs and practices of faith and religion.
The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since he fled Tibet amid a Chinese military crackdown in 1959.
