Our Bureau
Dharamshala
The question of who will succeed the 14th Dalai Lama has reignited diplomatic tensions between India and China, as both nations stake rival claims over the process of selecting Tibetan Buddhism’s next spiritual leader.
This week, the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual head, declared that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust—an institution he founded—has the authority to recognize his reincarnation. “No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” the Dalai Lama stated, directly challenging Beijing’s long-standing assertion that the selection must follow procedures under Chinese law, including the controversial lot-drawing from the Golden Urn and central government approval.
China’s ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, reiterated Beijing’s stance on social media, insisting that the reincarnation process “must follow the process that consists of search and identification in China…and central government approval”. The Chinese government has previously installed its own Panchen Lama, a move widely rejected by Tibetans, fueling fears of a similar attempt with the Dalai Lama’s succession.
Tibetan leaders and senior monks, gathered in Dharamshala for a major religious conference, unanimously endorsed the Dalai Lama’s declaration, emphasizing that his reincarnation could be recognized in any country and by any gender. The announcement comes amid large-scale celebrations marking the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, drawing thousands of devotees and high-profile supporters to the Himalayan town.
The succession issue is a potential flashpoint in Sino-Indian relations, with India’s reaction closely watched by Beijing. China’s Tibetology Research Centre has warned that bilateral ties could suffer if India disregards China’s preferred process. For Tibetans, the outcome will shape the future of their spiritual and political identity, as the Dalai Lama remains a symbol of hope and resistance in exile.
