Dalai Lama Turns 90; China Raps PM’s Greeting, Cautions India Over Tibet

China Objects to PM Modi’s Dalai Lama Greeting, Warns India Over Tibet Remarks.

China on Monday strongly objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama and the participation of Indian ministers in his 90th birthday celebrations, cautioning New Delhi against interfering in what it calls its internal affairs.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position on Tibet—referred to as Xizang in official Chinese communication—and described the Dalai Lama as a “political exile” accused of promoting separatism under the guise of religion.

“India should fully appreciate the high sensitivity of Xizang-related issues, recognise the anti-China and separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, and honour the commitments it has made to China,” Mao said at a regular briefing. She accused India of using the Dalai Lama issue to interfere in China’s domestic matters and warned that such actions could undermine bilateral relations.

The response came after PM Modi, in a social media post on Sunday, extended warm birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama, calling him “an enduring symbol of compassion, love, and moral discipline.” Modi added that the spiritual leader’s message had inspired respect across faiths and prayed for his continued good health.

Senior Indian leaders, including Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Sikkim minister Sonam Lama, attended the celebrations held in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh—home to the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Separately, the Chinese Embassy in India issued a protest against the Dalai Lama’s recent assertion that the tradition of reincarnation would continue and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would have the authority to recognise his successor. Beijing maintains that the decision on reincarnation lies with the Chinese government.

Last week, China had also objected to Rijiju’s statement that the Dalai Lama alone should decide on his reincarnation, urging India to act cautiously on issues concerning Tibet and warning against any move that might impact the fragile ties between the two countries.