India Distances Itself From Dalai Lama Row, Says ‘Govt Doesn’t Speak On Religious Matters’
India on Friday sought to distance itself from the escalating diplomatic row with China over the Dalai Lama’s succession, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issuing a carefully worded statement that the government “does not take any position” on religious matters.
The official clarification comes a day after Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s strong remarks backing the Tibetan spiritual leader’s right to choose his own successor, which drew a sharp rebuke from Beijing.
“We have seen reports relating to the statement made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries on Friday. “The Government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion,” he added, reaffirming India’s long-standing policy.
The statement is being seen as a diplomatic move to de-escalate tensions after China, earlier on Friday, warned India to “exercise caution” and avoid impacting the fragile process of normalizing bilateral ties.
The controversy was ignited when Rijiju, on Thursday, asserted that no one except the Dalai Lama himself has the authority to decide on his successor. His comments were a direct counter to China’s insistence that any future reincarnation must receive its approval.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry had reacted strongly, calling the Dalai Lama an “anti-China separatist” and asking India to honour its commitments on Tibet-related issues.
The MEA, while not directly commenting on the Rijiju-China exchange, reiterated India’s constitutional position. “The Government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so,” Jaiswal said.
The issue came to the forefront after the Dalai Lama, who is turning 90, recently declared that only his Gaden Phodrang Trust holds the legitimate authority to identify and recognise his reincarnation, a move aimed at pre-empting any interference from Beijing.
