China Protests as PM Extends Dalai Lama Birthday Wishes, Warns India on Tibet

China Slams PM Modi’s Dalai Lama Greeting, Warns India Over Tibet Stance.

Beijing on Monday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama and the participation of Indian ministers in the Tibetan leader’s 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala, warning New Delhi against meddling in its internal affairs and reiterating its hardline stance on Tibet.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing’s position on Tibet—referred to as Xizang in official Chinese statements—remains “consistent and clear.” She accused the Dalai Lama of being a “political exile” engaged in separatist activities under the guise of religion.

“India should fully understand the extreme sensitivity of Xizang-related issues, honour its commitments to China, and refrain from using the Dalai Lama to interfere in China’s internal matters,” Mao told reporters.

Beijing also protested the Dalai Lama’s recent assertion that the tradition of reincarnation would continue and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the authority to recognise his successor. The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi insisted the Dalai Lama holds no such authority, underscoring China’s growing efforts to control the succession process.

On Sunday, Modi posted on X: “Warm birthday wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is the embodiment of compassion and peace. His teachings inspire people across faiths. Praying for his long life and good health.”

Several Indian leaders, including Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Sikkim minister Sonam Lama, attended the celebrations in Dharamshala—moves that Beijing viewed as provocative.

China had also objected last week to Minister Rijiju’s statement that the Dalai Lama should be free to decide on the future of the reincarnation system. It called on India to “act prudently” on Tibet-related matters to avoid further strain on bilateral ties.