NEW DELHI: The issue of the Dalai Lama’s succession is a thorn in China-India relations, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi said on Sunday. The statement comes days before external affairs minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to visit China for the first time since the 2020 border clashes.
Ahead of the Tibetan spiritual leader’s 90th birthday celebrations this month, the Dalai Lama said China has no role in deciding his successor. Tibetans believe that the soul of a senior monk is reborn after death, but China insists its leaders must approve the succession.
Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy, posted on X that "some people from strategic and academic communities in India" had made, what she called "improper remarks" on the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. She did not name anyone.
"As professionals in foreign affairs, they should be fully cognizant of the sensitivity of issues related to Xizang," Yu said, using the Chinese term for Tibet .
"The reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is inherently an internal affair of China," she added.
"(The) 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."
Minister of parliamentary and minority affairs Kiren Rijiju, who sat next to the Dalai Lama during the birthday event, said, "The Dalai Lama is a defining spiritual leader for Buddhists,” adding, “The decision about his reincarnation should follow tradition and be made by him alone. No one else has the right.”
Ministry of external affairs, in a statement on July 4, said that New Delhi "does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion."
Jaishankar is expected to travel to Tianjin on July 15 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers’ meeting and will also hold bilateral talks on the sidelines. The visit comes at a time when both countries are trying to ease tensions and improve ties that plummeted following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.
Ahead of the Tibetan spiritual leader’s 90th birthday celebrations this month, the Dalai Lama said China has no role in deciding his successor. Tibetans believe that the soul of a senior monk is reborn after death, but China insists its leaders must approve the succession.
Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy, posted on X that "some people from strategic and academic communities in India" had made, what she called "improper remarks" on the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. She did not name anyone.
"As professionals in foreign affairs, they should be fully cognizant of the sensitivity of issues related to Xizang," Yu said, using the Chinese term for Tibet .
🔹It has been noted some people from strategic and academic communities, including former officials, have made some improper remarks on the reincarnation of Dalai Lama, contrary to Indian government’s public stance.
— Yu Jing (@ChinaSpox_India) July 13, 2025
🔹As professionals in foreign affairs, they should be fully… pic.twitter.com/HlG2IdvW1P
"The reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is inherently an internal affair of China," she added.
"(The) 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."
Minister of parliamentary and minority affairs Kiren Rijiju, who sat next to the Dalai Lama during the birthday event, said, "The Dalai Lama is a defining spiritual leader for Buddhists,” adding, “The decision about his reincarnation should follow tradition and be made by him alone. No one else has the right.”
Ministry of external affairs, in a statement on July 4, said that New Delhi "does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion."
Jaishankar is expected to travel to Tianjin on July 15 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers’ meeting and will also hold bilateral talks on the sidelines. The visit comes at a time when both countries are trying to ease tensions and improve ties that plummeted following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.
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