India Backs Freedom, But Will It Challenge China on Dalai Lama?

July 4, 2025: Amid rising global interest in the future of Tibetan spiritual leadership, the Indian government reaffirmed its stance on freedom of religion, following the Dalai Lama’s bold declaration that only his trust — not any foreign power — holds the authority to recognize his reincarnation.

On Friday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to the Dalai Lama’s statement, saying,”Government of India does not take any position on matters concerning religious faith. India has always upheld and will continue to uphold freedom of religion for all.” The comment follows the Dalai Lama’s announcement on July 2 that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a nonprofit body he established, will have exclusive authority over the selection of his successor — firmly rejecting China’s attempts to interfere in the process.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, echoing the sentiment of Buddhists worldwide, voiced support for the Dalai Lama’s autonomy:“Anyone who follows the Dalai Lama believes that only he should choose his successor. There’s no confusion about it.”Rijiju, who is set to attend the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala on July 6, declined to directly address China’s recent remarks, saying only:“I am not speaking on behalf of the Chinese or Indian government. But as a follower of the Dalai Lama, I firmly believe the choice lies with him alone.

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”The Dalai Lama, the 14th in his spiritual lineage, reiterated in a statement that the process of selecting the next Dalai Lama will follow traditional Tibetan Buddhist protocols, involving consultation with senior monks and oath-bound Dharma Protectors, as outlined in his 2011 guidelines.“The Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority.

No one else has any such right to interfere in this matter,” the spiritual leader affirmed.As geopolitical tensions simmer over Tibet, the spiritual dimension of the Dalai Lama‘s legacy continues to command global attention — and India, while neutral, is making it clear that spiritual freedom will remain protected on its soil.