Next Dalai Lama Should Emerge from a Free Nation, Not China: Arunachal CM Pema Khandu

Quick Summary

• Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu stated the next dalai Lama will not be from china and will likely come from a free and democratic country.
• The selection process for the 15th Dalai Lama will begin only after the passing of the current,14th Dalai Lama,who recently expressed hopes to live up to 130 years.
• mr. Khandu emphasized that all established procedures regarding succession are already in place but refrained from speculation about where the next Dalai Lama would be born.
• The Gaden Phodrang Trust is responsible for leading the search for and choosing the successor when appropriate.
• responding to China’s opposition on succession issues, Mr. Khandu argued that China lacks ties or recognition of the institution, which is predominantly honored by Tibetan Buddhists and Himalayan regions.
• The continuation of the centuries-old dalai lama institution has been confirmed recently by Buddhist leaders before His Holiness’s 90th birthday celebration.

Indian Opinion analysis
Pema Khandu’s remarks spotlight both India’s cultural proximity to tibetan Buddhism and growing tensions with China over religious succession control-a symbolically significant issue globally tied to human rights debates in Tibet under Chinese governance. While maintaining neutrality in predicting outcomes, his affirmation aligns with broader international advocacy for democratic values in succession protocols against perceived authoritarian interference from Beijing.

This conversation underlines India’s delicate position as a host to His Holiness while quietly refraining from escalating diplomatic friction beyond affirming procedural transparency via constitutional religious practices like those governed by entities such as Gaden Phodrang Trust-establishing clear non-political framework boundaries useful reassuring rationally grounded objectivity prioritizing global rather regional-promoted unity appreciating institutional sanctity longer trust alignment.

Read more: The Hindu