'Honour the commitment': China warns India again after PM Modi wishes Dalai Lama on birthday

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday, China on Monday warned India against interfering in Beijing's internal affairs.

The Chinese responses also come as Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Kandu and Sikkim minister Sonam Lama attended the Dalai Lama's birthday celebrations in Dharamshala.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the Dalai Lama is in political exile in India, alleging that the Tibetan leader is involved in efforts to separate Xizang (Tibet) from China in the name of religion.

Maintaining that China's position on Tibetan issues is clear and consistent, Ning said, "India should fully appreciate the great sensitivity of Xizang-related issues and recognise the anti-separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, and honour the commitment it made to China on issues related to Xizang,” she said.

This comes after PM Modi said he is joined by 1.4 billion Indians in "extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday."

Calling the Tibetan leader an "enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline", Modi said the Dalai Lama's message is respected and admired by all faiths. "We pray for his continued good health and long life," he added.

The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier clarified its stance, pointing out that it does not take a position on matter concerning faith and religion. Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Union Ministry of External Affairs, on Friday, pointing out that India has always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so.

The latest controversy erupted after the Dalai Lama said the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit outfit, is the only legitimate authority that can choose his successor. However, the Chinese foreign ministry said the Dalai Lama's successor should be approved by Beijing. "Tibetan Buddhism was born in China and is a religion with Chinese characteristics," Ning said.

Earlier, Rijiju said Dalai Lama alone can decide his successor, saying, "This is not about politics—it’s about religious belief."

In response, China said India should tread carefully on Tibetan issues and called the 14th Dalai Lama an "anti-China separatist figure".

India