India snubs Chinese remarks over Modi’s greetings to Dalai Lama

By Choekyi Lhamo

DHARAMSHALA, July 8: China has criticized Indian PM Narendra Modi’s greetings for the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 87^th birthday on Wednesday. Tibetans in Dharamshala celebrated his birthday here in the exile diaspora’s capital as wishes for the Tibetan leader poured in from world leaders and Indian politicians, which some observers perceived to be politically motivated to irk China. “The Indian side needs to fully understand the anti-China and separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama,” Chinese Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said following the July 6 birthday celebrations.

The New Delhi spokesperson rejected China’s remarks by asserting that it has been a consistent policy of the Indian government to honour His Holiness’ stay. “It is a consistent policy of the government of India to treat His Holiness Dalai Lama as an honoured guest in India and as a respected religious leader who enjoys a large following in India,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi responded at a weekly briefing.

Bagchi also said that the birthday greetings by the PM should be seen in an ‘overall context’, “His Holiness is accorded all due courtesies and freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities in India. His birthday is celebrated by many of his followers in India and abroad.” He also noted that the Indian Prime Minister had wished His Holiness last year as well.

China’s snide remarks over every official meeting involving the Dalai Lama is consistent with CCP’s diplomacy. “[India] needs to abide by its commitments to China on Tibet-related issues, act and speak with prudence and stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs. . . China firmly opposes all forms of contact between foreign officials and the Dalai Lama,” Zhao had further said.

The Chinese spokesperson also lashed out in his response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s wishes to the octogenarian leader. “I admire His Holiness’s ongoing commitment to non-violence to resolve the grievances of the Tibetan community. I am also grateful for his dedication and service to humanity,” Blinken said in a message posted on the US State department website. He also extended support to the ongoing projects by the Tibetan community to preserve distinct Tibetan language, culture, and religion, including the right to freely choose one’s spiritual leaders.

In an apparent response, Zhou angrily dismissed the birthday acknowledgement by the US government, “[He is a] political exile disguised as a religious figure who has long engaged in anti-China separatist activities and attempted to split Tibet from China”. The spokesperson demanded that the US withdraw “all forms of contact with Dalai and [to] stop sending wrong signals to the world”. “People of all ethnic groups in Tibet enjoy the freedom of religious belief, and the freedom to use and develop their ethnic languages,” Mr Zhao further claimed in another press briefing.