China Tells India To Stay Away From Dalai Lama Succession: ‘No External Interference’

Last Updated:May 25, 2026, 13:45 IST

Last year, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi described the succession of the Tibetan spiritual leader as a “thorn” in India-China relations.

China has asked India to stay away from the issue of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation and warned against “external interference" in the matter.

The statement came as the new political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) prepared to take oath. China also urged India not to provide a platform for activities supporting “Tibetan independence".

What Chinese Embassy said?

Chinese Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing said the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama followed long-established religious rituals and historical conventions that required approval from China’s central government.

“The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama follows long-established religious rituals and historical conventions that have, for centuries, required the approval of China’s central government," Yu Jing said on Sunday.

The spokesperson also noted that the 14th Dalai Lama himself had been recognised through the same process. “The issue of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation is purely an internal matter of China and should not be subject to external interference," the statement added.

China further said the so-called Central Tibetan Administration was not recognised by any sovereign country and had no authority to make claims regarding the reincarnation process.

“The so-called ‘Central Tibetan Administration’ is not recognized by any sovereign country, and its leadership has neither the legitimacy to represent the Tibetan people nor the authority to make claims regarding the reincarnation process," Yu Jing said.

China on Tibet

The Chinese Embassy also referred to India’s position on Tibet and said Beijing hoped New Delhi would continue to honour its commitments.

“It is sincerely hoped that India will continue to honor these commitments, refrain from providing any platform for activities advocating ‘Tibetan independence,’ and avoid interference in the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama," the statement said.

China said such an approach would help maintain stability and support constructive bilateral relations between the two countries.

Dalai Lama issue

This is not the first time China has raised concerns with India over the Dalai Lama issue. Last year, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi described the succession of the Tibetan spiritual leader as a “thorn" in India-China relations.

The comments came after the Dalai Lama again stated that China had no role in deciding his successor.

Tibetans believe the soul of a senior Buddhist monk is reincarnated after death. However, China insists that the succession process for the Dalai Lama must also receive approval from Chinese authorities.

Dalai Lama living in India since 1959

The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. India is also home to around 70,000 Tibetans as well as the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Indian foreign policy experts have often said that the Dalai Lama’s presence in India provides New Delhi with strategic leverage in its relationship with China.

News world China Tells India To Stay Away From Dalai Lama Succession: ‘No External Interference’

Read More