Senior Chinese officials have issued a stern caution to India that not following Beijing’s lead concerning the issue of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation could damage bilateral political ties, Indian media outlets reported over the weekend. The future of the Dalai Lama lineage, they said, can only be decided in China and any interference by India may impact Sino-Indian relations.

“The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is a historical, religious, and political issue. There are established historical institutions and formalities for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama,” Wang Neng Sheng, a vice minister in the Tibet Autonomous Region, told a gathering of Indian journalists in the former Tibetan capital Lhasa. “The Dalai Lama’s reincarnation is not decided by his personal wish or by some group of people living in other countries.” (Business Standard)

The issue of who will succeed His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who turned 84 on 6 July,* has gained increasing weight as a point of dispute in recent years in light of His Holiness’ age and reported health issues. As the head of the Gelug school of Vajrayana Buddhism and the principal figurehead for Tibetan Buddhism, the spiritual leader continues to wield significant influence among ethnic Tibetans in China and overseas. The next Dalai Lama would be the 15th incarnation over an unbroken lineage that has lasted some 500 years.

Wang, who was also identified as holding the post of director-general in the government of the Tibet Autonomous Region, noted that the current Dalai Lama was recognized by Beijing and that any successor must be identified through traditional methods in two stages: “It must go to draw of lots in the golden urn, and the reincarnation must be recognized by the central government,” he said, adding that the “centrality” of the central government must be recognized and that any personal move by the incumbent Dalai Lama on the issue would not be recognized by Beijing. (NDTV)

“It was with the central government’s recognition that the Dalai Lama became the 14th Dalai Lama. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been in that position,” Wang emphasized. (NDTV)

In addition to diplomatic ties with China, India also needs to consider the implications with regard to the broader Tibetan diaspora. Many of the more than six million Tibetans in China continue to honor the Dalai Lama, although Beijing has prohibited displays of his image and public demonstrations of devotion, maintaining that the Nobel laureate is a divisive element who encourages violence and separatist activity in ethnically Tibetan regions. However, His Holiness has repeatedly stated that he only wishes to see autonomy for Tibet while it remains a part of China.

“This can turn into a major political difference that would affect ties [if India doesn’t recognize the Dalai Lama chosen by China]. But no wise leader or friendly country will do that,” said Prof. Zha Luo, director of the Institute of Social and Economic Studies of the China Tibetology Research Center (CTRC), a government Tibet policy think tank in Beijing. “Of course, India can also stay away [and not publicly endorse him]. India, though, should respect China’s right to deal with its [internal] social and domestic issues.” (The Times of India)

Zha also noted that if Indian leaders continued to make “frequent visits” to the northern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China regards as disputed territory and refers to as “South Tibet,” this would also have an “adverse effect” on Sino-Indian relations. “It is better to avoid hotspots,” he added. (Deccan Chronicle)