China has called the issue of the Dalai Lama’s succession a major “thorn” in its relationship with India, just days before Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Beijing. The Chinese embassy in New Delhi stressed that the next Dalai Lama must be approved by the Chinese government, warning India to avoid making “improper remarks” on Tibet that could damage bilateral ties.
This response followed Indian Minister Kiren Rijiju’s comments at the Dalai Lama’s birthday, where he said only the Dalai Lama himself has the right to decide his successor. While India later clarified that these were personal views, not official policy, the exchange highlights growing tensions. The disagreement threatens to cast a shadow over upcoming talks aimed at repairing strained ties since the 2020 border clash.
