India’s Position on the Dalai Lama’s Succession

Government Remains Neutral

New Delhi: India recently made it clear that it has not taken any official position on the succession of the Dalai Lama. The government views this as a matter of personal faith and religion.

Important Points to Note

• No Official Stand: The Indian government does not interfere in matters of faith and religion.
• Religious Freedom: India is dedicated to upholding the freedom of religion for all its citizens.
• Better Relations: India and China have been making efforts to improve their relationship over the past nine months.

Recent Progress

India and China have been actively working on strengthening their ties. There have been several high-level visits, indicating a steady improvement in their working relationship.

• Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited China last month.
• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has visited China twice since Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with President Xi Jinping.
• Wang Yi, China’s special representative for boundary talks, is expected to visit India this month.

Understanding the Dalai Lama’s Succession

Unlike the United States, India has never taken an official position on the Dalai Lama’s succession. China, on the other hand, insists that the successor must be appointed through a traditional process with the approval of the central government.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju recently supported the Dalai Lama’s statement. He made it clear that he was speaking as a devotee and not on behalf of the Indian government.

“Around the world, people who practice Buddhism believe that the Dalai Lama himself will decide on his succession. The Government of India or I do not need to say anything about this. I am speaking as a follower,” Rijiju stated.