China Fires Back at Rijiju’s Dalai Lama Remarks—Here’s Why It Matters
You know how India and China keep butting heads? Well, here we go again. This time, it’s over something Indian Minister Kiren Rijiju said about who gets to pick the next Dalai Lama. And let me tell you, Beijing did not take it well. China’s basically telling India to mind its own business when it comes to Tibet. But this isn’t just some minor spat—it’s digging up decades of tension. Let’s break it down.
1. The Whole Tibet Mess, Explained Simply
1.1 Who Even Is the Dalai Lama?
Okay, so the Dalai Lama is like the Pope of Tibetan Buddhism—super respected, big on peace, and stuck in this crazy political tug-of-war. He’s been living in India since 1959 after things went south in Tibet (literally). China wasn’t thrilled about that, to put it mildly.
1.2 China’s Take: “Tibet? That’s Ours.”
Here’s the thing—China treats Tibet like that one cousin who’s “part of the family” but gets zero say in anything. They call it an “autonomous region,” but let’s be real—it’s autonomous like a kid with training wheels. And the Dalai Lama? Beijing calls him a troublemaker trying to split up the country.
1.3 India’s Tightrope Walk
India’s in this awkward spot. On one hand, they’ve given the Dalai Lama a home for 60+ years. On the other? They officially agree Tibet belongs to China. It’s like saying “I’m not taking sides” while clearly leaning to one side. And China notices every time.
2. What Rijiju Said (And Why China Lost It)
2.1 The Comment That Started It All
So Rijiju—who’s not even the foreign minister, by the way—dropped this gem: “The next Dalai Lama should be chosen how the current one wants.” Sounds harmless, right? Not to China. That’s basically throwing shade at their authority over Tibetan Buddhism.
2.2 Beijing’s Meltdown
China went full “how dare you?” mode. To them, this isn’t about religion—it’s about control. Any outside opinion on Tibet feels like someone messing with their backyard. And after recent border clashes? They’re extra touchy.
2.3 India’s Silence Speaks Volumes
Here’s what’s interesting: Delhi hasn’t walked back Rijiju’s words. Not officially, anyway. It’s that classic Indian diplomacy—winking at Tibet supporters while keeping China just calm enough not to start a crisis.
3. China’s Warning Shot
3.1 The Official Line
China’s foreign ministry pulled out the big guns: “Core interests,” “violating agreements,” the whole nine yards. Their message? “India, shut up about Tibet unless you want more problems.”
3.2 Why This Keeps Happening
This isn’t new. Remember when the Dalai Lama visited Arunachal Pradesh and China lost its mind? Same playbook. But now with actual soldiers staring each other down in Ladakh, every little comment becomes gunpowder.
4. The Bigger Picture
4.1 What the West Thinks
America and Europe? They’ll tut-tut about human rights but won’t actually pick a side. Still, Rijiju’s words give them ammo to criticize China—which they love doing these days.
4.2 The Real Stakes for India
Here’s the kicker: Tibet is India’s leverage. Not enough to start a war, but enough to remind China they can’t push India around forever. It’s like having that one friend who knows your embarrassing secret—you don’t want to fight them.
5. What Happens Next?
5.1 The Succession Drama
China’s already planning to handpick the next Dalai Lama. The current one? They’ll ignore him. This could mean two Dalai Lamas—one China-approved, one real deal. Awkward.
5.2 India’s Move
Delhi’s got a choice: keep playing nice with China or finally take a stand. With border issues still hot, they’ll probably keep doing this weird dance. But guys like Rijiju? They’re done being polite.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just about some minister’s comment. It’s about two giants circling each other, using Tibet as the battleground. And with the Dalai Lama getting older? Buckle up—this fight’s only getting started.
Source: Aaj Tak – Home
