Ahead of Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, Beijing has identified Tibet-related matters, particularly the Dalai Lama’s succession, as a major hurdle in bilateral ties. The Chinese embassy in New Delhi labeled these issues a “thorn” for India, asserting that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is solely China’s internal matter, not subject to external influence.
This follows recent statements from Indian strategic circles supporting the Dalai Lama’s position that a trust of Tibetan Buddhists should determine his successor. China, which refers to Tibet as “Xizang,” has voiced concerns over these remarks, seeing them as inconsistent with India’s official stance. The embassy’s spokesperson, Yu Jing, indicated that such positions could complicate diplomatic efforts, especially as both nations aim to stabilize relations post the 2020 Ladakh border clashes.
The Dalai Lama, residing in exile in India since 1959, alongside approximately 70,000 Tibetans and a Tibetan government-in-exile, remains a sensitive point. Indian analysts view this as a strategic asset for New Delhi, while China maintains that India has agreed to recognize Tibet as its territory and curb anti-China activities by Tibetans on Indian soil.
As Jaishankar prepares for the SCO meeting, the spotlight is on whether both countries can address these persistent issues to improve ties. The Tibet question, coupled with border disputes and historical tensions, continues to test the diplomatic equilibrium between the two nations.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 14th, 2025
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