S the 14th Dalai Lama celebrates his 90th birthday, the long-simmering issue of his succession has erupted, placing India and China in a diplomatic standoff.
Speaking to followers during long-life prayers in McLeod Ganj, the Tibetan spiritual leader expressed his hope to live beyond 130 years to continue serving humanity.
However, the focus has sharply shifted to the political and spiritual battle over who will be his successor.
The Dalai Lama has unequivocally stated that his next incarnation will be born in a "free country," a clear rejection of any successor chosen or approved by the Chinese government.
This declaration reignites a major point of contention for Beijing, which insists the process must adhere to "Chinese laws and historical practice." This has prompted a stern warning from China's Foreign Ministry, cautioning India to avoid "interference" in Tibet-related matters that could damage fragile bilateral ties between the two Asian giants.
India, which granted asylum to the Dalai Lama in 1959 after he fled a failed uprising in Tibet, has maintained a consistent position.
New Delhi has stressed that the matter of succession is a religious one and that only the Dalai Lama and his trust have the right to decide.
This stance has not appeased Beijing.
The situation leaves the Tibetan community in a precarious position, with widespread fears that China will attempt to install a "fake" Dalai Lama to legitimize and tighten its authoritarian control over Tibet.
The Dalai Lama's firm stance, India's diplomatic tightrope walk, and China's assertive warnings have set the stage for a major geopolitical flashpoint.
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