“India Does Not Speak on Matters of Faith”: MEA on Dalai Lama Succession

India on Friday maintained that it does not take a position on matters of faith and religious belief, days after Tibetan spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama unveiled a plan for his reincarnation, drawing a sharp response from China.

In a press briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "The government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion."

He further noted, "We have seen reports relating to the statement made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution."

The statement comes amid growing interest in the future of the Tibetan spiritual leadership and the institution of the Dalai Lama, particularly as questions arise globally about the succession process and its implications. In his statement, the Tibetan leader asserted that no outside force could "interfere" in the process of his reincarnation.

The Dalai Lama's announcement, made ahead of his 90th birthday, appears to reaffirm his position on spiritual autonomy, challenging China's consistent claims of authority over the reincarnation process. China has long insisted that any succession must be approved by the state, a stance the Tibetan leadership in exile has firmly opposed.

Earlier on Friday, Beijing called on India to "act cautiously" on Tibet-related issues, warning that such matters could affect bilateral ties. The response came after Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, on Thursday, asserted that only the established Tibetan Buddhist institution and the Dalai Lama himself could decide on his reincarnation.

The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959 after fleeing Tibet following a failed uprising against Chinese rule. His succession has long been a contentious issue, with China indicating its intention to appoint a successor through its own mechanisms — a move widely seen as an attempt to control the Tibetan spiritual lineage.

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