Stressing New Delhi should fully appreciate Beijing’s sensitivities on Tibet-related issues, China on Monday protested over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and the attendance of Indian officials at the celebrations.
An all-party forum, however, urged the Centre to award the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, to the spiritual leader. In a show of support for the Tibetan cause, which can draw wrath from China, the forum also appealed to the Government to allow the Dalai Lama to address a joint session of Parliament.
The 10-member committee has already launched a signature campaign supporting the Dalai Lama’s Bharat Ratna nomination and is learnt to have gathered signatures from about 80 MPs, which it plans to submit to the Prime Minister and the President in the coming days.
Reacting to the Tibet-related issues in context of the Dalai Lama’s birthday celebrations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing’s position on such affairs is consistent and clear and it’s known to all. Talking to reporters, Mao alleged that the 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile, who for a long time, has been engaged in separatist activities and attempted to separate Xizang from China under the cover of religion. China refers to Tibet as Xizang. “India should fully appreciate the great sensitivity of Xizang-related issues and recognise the anti-separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama and honour the commitment it made to China on issues related to Xizang,” Mao said. India should act and speak prudently and stop using this issue to meddle in China’s internal affairs, she said, adding that “China has protested to the Indian side” on the matter.
PM Modi on Sunday extended warm wishes to the Dalai Lama and said he has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline.
“His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life,” Modi posted on X. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, and Sikkim minister Sonam Lama had attended his birthday celebrations in Dharamshala.
China on last Friday objected to Rijiju’s statement that the incarnation of the Dalai Lama should follow his own wishes, urging India to act cautiously on Tibet-related issues to avoid affecting the improvement of bilateral relations.
Reacting to Rijiju’s assertion that the decision on the incarnation of the Dalai Lama would be taken by the established institution and the leader of Tibetan Buddhist himself and no one else, Mao said India should be clear of the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama and honour its commitments on Xizang (Tibet) related issues.
Later that day, India said it does not take any position on matters concerning faith and religion, two days after the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, unveiled a plan for choosing his successor.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the India Government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in the country and will continue to do so. He said : “We have seen reports relating to the statement made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution. The Government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion.”
The Tibetan spiritual leader last Wednesday said that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, and only the Gaden Phodrang Trust will have the authority to recognise his future reincarnation. Mao had reiterated China’s stand that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, the second-highest priest of Tibetan Buddhism, has to comply with rigorous religious rituals and historical conventions in line with domestic search, lots drawn from a ‘golden urn’ and the central Government’s approval.