On the occasion of the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings, lauding him as "an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience, and moral discipline". Modi conveyed his wishes on social media, stating that the Dalai Lama's message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths and that he joins 1.4 billion Indians in praying for his continued good health and long life.
Several other world leaders have also joined in extending their heartfelt wishes for the health and well-being of the Dalai Lama. Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, noted that the Dalai Lama continues to inspire the world with his message of unity, peace, and compassion.
In his message to the world, the Dalai Lama said that he would continue to promote human values and religious harmony, drawing attention to ancient Indian wisdom.
The Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebrations occur amidst a sensitive backdrop, with ongoing discussions surrounding his succession and China's claims of authority over the process. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju attended the Dalai Lama's birthday event in Dharamshala, reiterating the Indian government's stance on religious freedom and non-interference in religious matters. This stance was emphasized following objections from China regarding Rijiju's remarks that the Dalai Lama alone should decide on his reincarnation.
China asserts its historical authority to approve the Dalai Lama's successor, citing imperial-era precedents, and has rejected the Dalai Lama's statement that his reincarnation would be identified solely by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, potentially outside of China. In response, Rijiju affirmed the Dalai Lama and his organization's authority to identify his successor, challenging China's position. Beijing has urged India to act carefully to avoid damaging the ongoing improvement in bilateral ties.
The Dalai Lama's presence in India has been a long-standing issue in India-China relations. The spiritual leader has been living in exile in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule. India has provided him and his followers refuge, a move that has often irked China. Despite these tensions, India has maintained its position of respecting the Dalai Lama as a religious leader and upholding religious freedom.
