Home

News

Video

In-Short
India's Stance: No Religious Position on Dalai Lama's Successor, It's a Religious Matter, Says Foreign Ministry.
  • 325 views
  • 2 min read

The Indian government has stated that it does not take a position on matters concerning faith and religion, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This statement comes after the Dalai Lama asserted that a trust of Tibetan Buddhists will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed media queries about the Dalai Lama's statement, which was made ahead of his 90th birthday on July 6. Jaiswal affirmed that India has always upheld freedom of religion for all its citizens and will continue to do so. He stated, "The government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion".

In his statement, the Dalai Lama declared that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the exclusive right to recognize his future reincarnation, asserting that "no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter". The Gaden Phodrang Trust was established in 2015 by the Dalai Lama to manage affairs related to the institution of the Dalai Lama.

China has reacted strongly to the Dalai Lama's remarks, insisting that his reincarnation must be approved by the Chinese government. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama, and other prominent Buddhist figures must be chosen through a process involving drawing lots from a golden urn and receiving approval from the central government. Mao Ning asserted that while China respects religious freedom, it also implements regulations on religious affairs and methods for managing the reincarnation of Tibetan living Buddhas.

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has asserted that only the Dalai Lama and the conventions he has established have the authority to determine his successor. Rijiju, a practicing Buddhist, emphasized that the Dalai Lama is the most important institution for Buddhists, and his incarnation should be decided by established convention and his own wishes. He further stated that no other entity has the right to make that decision. Rijiju's remarks have been interpreted as a direct response to China's claims on the matter.

India has long maintained that the process of naming the Dalai Lama's successor is a long-standing tradition undertaken by the Dalai Lama, in which no third party should interfere. Some observers anticipate that there may eventually be two rival Dalai Lamas – one appointed by Beijing and another chosen by senior monks loyal to the current Dalai Lama. According to sources, India would not recognize a Dalai Lama appointed by China.

The Dalai Lama's statement and the subsequent responses from India and China highlight the ongoing complexities surrounding the succession of the Dalai Lama and the differing perspectives on religious authority and traditions.


Writer - Hina Joshi
Hina Joshi is a promising journalist, bringing a fresh voice to the media landscape, fueled by her passion for sports. With a recent Mass Communication degree, Hina is particularly drawn to lifestyle, arts, and community-focused narratives. She's dedicated to thorough research and crafting engaging stories that highlight the diverse cultural tapestry, aiming to connect with readers through insightful and vibrant reporting. Her love for sports also inspires her pursuit of dynamic and compelling human interest pieces.
Advertisement

Latest Post


Top Stories  |  Jul 04, 2025
The third T20 international between England and India women is set to take place today, July 4, 2025, at The Oval in London. India currently leads the five-match series 2-0, after securing a 97-run victory in the first T20I and a 24-run win in the se...

Sports  |  Jul 04, 2025
UEFA, the governing body for European football, has recently levied significant fines against Chelsea and Barcelona for breaches of its financial regulations. These penalties underscore UEFA's commitment to enforcing Financial Fair Play (FFP) and ens...

Video Broadcast  |  Jul 04, 2025
Negotiations for a US-India trade deal are ongoing as Indian negotiators recently returned from Washington. Despite the return of the Indian delegation, a finalized agreement remains elusive. Both countries are aiming to resolve the outstanding issue...

Video Broadcast  |  Jul 04, 2025
Dior is facing backlash for a $200,000 coat featuring traditional Indian Mukaish embroidery, revealed at Paris Fashion Week, due to the brand's failure to acknowledge the craft's Indian heritage or credit the artisans involved. The unveiling of the c...

Advertisement
World  |  Jul 04, 2025
The inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic (NC Classic) in Bengaluru marks a pivotal moment for Indian athletics, signifying the beginning of a new chapter and a potential revolution in the sport. As India's first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Gold ...

Sports  |  Jul 04, 2025
Day 3 of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston was marked by a contentious Decision Review System (DRS) incident involving Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, which led to a heated exchange between England captain Ben Stokes and the umpi...

Sports  |  Jul 04, 2025
The Edmonton Oilers may live to regret allowing veteran forward Corey Perry to walk in free agency, as he signed a one-year, $3. 5 million deal with the Los Angeles Kings. Perry's departure, along with Connor Brown's move to the New Jersey Devils, has...

Sports  |  Jul 04, 2025
Wales is preparing to make its debut on the big stage at the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, marking a historic moment for the nation's football program. After years of near misses, Cymru, as the team is known, secured their place in the tournament with a ha...

Advertisement
About   •   Terms   •   Privacy
© 2025 DailyDigest360