The Dalai Lama's succession has emerged as a potential point of friction in Sino-Indian relations, despite recent signs of improvement in the bilateral relationship. As the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, approaches his 90th birthday, his pronouncements on the succession plan have sparked controversy, particularly concerning China's role in the process.
The Dalai Lama has asserted that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, established by him, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, effectively excluding any interference from the Chinese government. This stance has been a consistent theme, with the Dalai Lama emphasizing that his successor will be born in a "free country," outside of China's jurisdiction. He has also warned against accepting a Chinese-appointed successor. In his book "Voice for the Voiceless," he stated that the new Dalai Lama would be born in the free world.
China, however, insists that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must comply with Chinese laws and regulations, as well as religious rituals and historical conventions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the Dalai Lama's reincarnation must follow the principles of domestic recognition, the "golden urn" process, and approval by the central government. China maintains that any successor born outside China would be illegal. Beijing views the Dalai Lama's succession as an internal process and asserts that it has been followed since 1792. They also state that the current Dalai Lama was chosen through the same process.
This divergence in views has the potential to create a flashpoint in India-China relations. India, which hosts the Tibetan government-in-exile, finds itself in a delicate situation. New Delhi has traditionally avoided overt involvement in the Dalai Lama succession debate to avoid further antagonizing China. However, India's hosting of the Tibetan leadership and potentially a non-China-approved successor is bound to stir unease in Beijing. Some experts believe that the Dalai Lama's succession process may bolster India's strategic leverage against China and strengthen its soft power among Buddhists globally.
The Dalai Lama's presence in India has historically been a source of tension in China-India relations. India has publicly maintained that the Dalai Lama is a revered religious leader and is accorded freedom to carry out his religious activities in India. While India recognized Tibet as part of Chinese territory in 2003, events in Tibet and the institution of the Dalai Lama directly impact India, especially considering the shared disputed border.
The international community is also closely watching the succession issue. The United States has taken a firm stance, stating that any interference by the Chinese government in the reincarnation process will be met with sanctions. The European Union has also reaffirmed its position that China should respect the 14th Dalai Lama's succession in accordance with Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
The Dalai Lama's insistence on a Tibetan-led reincarnation and China's determination to control the process sets the stage for a complex and potentially volatile situation. How India navigates this issue will significantly impact its geopolitical relations with China and its global image.
