China has urged India to stop using Tibet issues to interfere in domestic affairs, again spelling out Beijing’s position on the succession of the Dalai Lama.
Advertisement
The Chinese foreign ministry made the call on Friday, a day after a senior Indian minister said that only the Dalai Lama and the trust he set up had the authority to identify his successor as the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism.
The comment is in opposition to China’s long-held position that the succession should be in line with tradition and Chinese law.
“We hope India can fully recognise the high sensitivity of issues related to Tibet, and clearly see the anti-China and separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama,” ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
“India should honour its commitments on Tibet-related matters, exercise caution in word and deed, stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs, and avoid undermining the improvement and development of China-India relations.”
01:30
Dalai Lama says his successor may be found in India
Dalai Lama says his successor may be found in India
The comments were in response to a rare statement on the succession from Kiren Rijiju, India’s minister of parliamentary and minority affairs.