'Stop Interfering in Internal Matters': China Fumes After Rijiju Backs Dalai Lama

China on Friday strongly objected to remarks made by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who stated that the Dalai Lama should have the freedom to choose his own successor. Beijing urged New Delhi to approach Tibet-related matters with caution to avoid negatively affecting the progress of bilateral relations. During a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to Rijiju’s comments, asserting that India should clearly recognize the 14th Dalai Lama’s alleged anti-China and separatist stance. She also emphasized that India must respect its commitments on issues concerning Tibet, which China refers to as “Xizang.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry Raises Objection with India

Mao stated that India must be cautious in its words and actions, stop interfering in China's internal matters regarding Xizang, and avoid issues that could affect the improvement and development of China-India relations.

Govt minister on Dalai Lama's successor

On Thursday, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that only the established institution and the Dalai Lama himself will decide on the next Dalai Lama. He clarified that no one else will be involved in this decision. This is the first response from a senior government official to the Dalai Lama’s own statement regarding his successor.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama had said on Wednesday, June 2, that the institution of the Dalai Lama would continue and that only the “Gaden Phodrang Trust” would have the authority to recognise his successor.

Rijiju backs China's stance on Dalai Lama

Rijiju’s statement comes after China rejected Nobel Peace Prize winner Dalai Lama’s succession plan and emphasised that the future successor must have its approval.

Both ministers are followers of Buddhism. On July 6, Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh will represent the Indian government at a ceremony for the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday in Dharamshala. Rijiju stated that the birthday celebration is a religious event and has no political significance.

Dalai Lama’s Selection Must Follow Traditions and Chinese Law – Mao

Mao reiterated China’s stance that the succession of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, the second-highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism, must follow a domestic process, involving the golden urn system and approval by the central government, in accordance with strict religious rituals and historical traditions.

She added that the current 14th Dalai Lama went through this same process and was approved by the then-central government. Mao emphasised that while selecting the next Dalai Lama, these values, religious rituals, historical traditions, and Chinese laws and regulations must all be respected.

Multiple High-Level Talks Already Held to Improve India-China Relations

Mao’s comments on improving and developing relations refer to efforts made by both India and China to normalise ties after more than four years of standoff in Eastern Ladakh.

Following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, last year, relations between the two countries began to improve, leading to several high-level discussions.