Another strong message to China- PM Modi spoke to the Dalai Lama- India has continued to send a strong message to China in the wake of provocative acts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Under this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Tibetan Buddhism Guru Dalai Lama on his 86th birthday. The PM told on Twitter that he spoke to the Dalai Lama on the phone. This is the first time that Modi has openly expressed his contact with the Dalai Lama. It is natural that the motive behind this is to give a message not only to China but to the whole world. Earlier, he spoke to President Joe Biden on America’s 245th Independence Day, while saying nothing on the 100th foundation day of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
PM Modi’s initiative and Dalai Lama’s answer
“I spoke to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the phone to wish him on his 86th birthday,” the Prime Minister tweeted. We wish him a long and healthy life. This move of PM Modi surprised those watching the political and strategic developments of China and Tibet. Strategists are assuming that since the Indian side has been at the highest level, it is believed that India is now ready to play freely on Tibet. Dalai Lama told PM Modi that ever since he took shelter in India, he has taken full advantage of freedom and religious openness here. He told Modi over the phone, ‘I want to assure you that I will spend my whole life in giving new edge to ancient Indian knowledge.’
We wish him a long and healthy life. This move of PM modi surprised those watching the political and strategic developments of China and Tibet. Strategiest are assuming that since the Indian side has been at the high
Experts considering a big change in India’s strategy
Claude RP, an expert on China and Tibet affairs, told our affiliate newspaper The Times of India (ToI), ‘I think this is very big news. This sends a strong message to China, especially before the 12th round of military talks. There is also a message in this that whatever decision the Dalai Lama takes for his succession, India will stand behind him. To my knowledge, this is the first time that an Indian Prime Minister has spoken to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his birthday and expressed it openly. It is hoped that this will strengthen Delhi’s relationship with the Dalai Lama as well as with the CTA (Central Tibetan Administration).
The Big Issue of the Dalai Lama’s Succession
India has not yet clarified its position on the Dalai Lama’s succession, but has indicated that it is a Tibetan matter and that no one else should play a role. China has said in its recent White Paper on Tibet that it will control the process of selecting the Dalai Lama’s successor.
Amitabha Mathur, a former advisor on Tibet affairs in the Union Home Ministry, says, “This is a welcome step in the right direction. Hope the Government of India will respect the wishes of the Dalai Lama on the issue of succession. Last year, the Trump administration passed the Tibet Policy and Support Act, saying that the succession process should be controlled by the Dalai Lama only. The Biden administration has also supported the same policy.
Strong message to China
On the other hand, the head of Tibet’s government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, told news agency PTI on Tuesday that the Chinese government should recognize that the Dalai Lama is very important in resolving the Sino-Tibet dispute and that he should “unconditionally support Tibet and China”. should be called on a religious pilgrimage. According to sources, the new Sikyong of the CTA has been in touch with the Indian government in recent weeks.
