Dalai Lama Rejects China Role in Succession

Ahead of his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama affirmed that the process of selecting his reincarnation will be determined solely by longstanding Tibetan Buddhist traditions and a trust of senior monks, explicitly excluding any external authority, including China. This declaration ends years of speculation about succession plans and rebuffs China's insistence on approving the next Dalai Lama. The announcement raises the likelihood of rival Dalai Lamas, one chosen by Beijing and another by the Tibetan exile community. Indian officials, including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, initially expressed support for the Dalai Lama's autonomy, prompting warnings from China. India's Ministry of External Affairs later reiterated its neutral stance, emphasizing freedom of religion and non-interference. The dispute highlights the succession's political and cultural stakes and the potential for increased friction among China, India, and the Tibetan diaspora.