Global Times News on the Chinese Protest
Beijing, July 7, 2025 — China is reeling with dismay after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju publicly honored the 14th Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday, intensifying tensions over Tibet-related issues. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Mao Ning, lodged formal protests with India, accusing the Dalai Lama of being a "political exile" orchestrating "anti-China separatist activities" under a religious facade. Beijing views these gestures as a direct affront to its sovereignty.
On July 6, 2025, Modi posted on X, joining "1.4 billion Indians" in wishing the Dalai Lama well, praising him as an "enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience, and moral discipline." The message, which garnered widespread attention, provoked a sharp rebuke from China, with Mao Ning demanding that India recognize the "highly sensitive nature" of Tibet issues and avoid actions that interfere in China’s internal affairs.
Further fueling China’s outrage, Kiren Rijiju attended the Dalai Lama’s birthday celebrations in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, calling the spiritual leader a "living bridge between ancient wisdom and the modern world." Rijiju’s remarks, which included a firm rejection of external interference in the Dalai Lama’s succession process-widely seen as a jab at Beijing-added to the diplomatic firestorm. He emphasized India’s unwavering support for the Dalai Lama’s institution, particularly the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which will choose the next spiritual leader.
Speaking at McLeodganj’s main temple, the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since 1959, reflected on his contributions: "Though we have lost our country, in India I have been able to benefit beings quite a lot." His words underscored his enduring influence, which China continues to view as a threat to its control over Tibet.
Mao Ning reiterated Beijing’s stance that the Dalai Lama’s successor must be approved by China, a position India and the Tibetan diaspora reject outright. “India must act prudently and stop using Xizang-related issues to meddle in China’s affairs,” she stated, referring to Tibet by its Chinese name.
The high-profile gestures by Modi and Rijiju reaffirm India’s support for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community in exile, a stance that has long irritated China. As the two nations grapple with their fraught relationship, the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday has once again spotlighted the Tibet issue, exposing the deep rift between New Delhi and Beijing.
This article incorporates details from the Global Times, The Times of India, and Modi’s X post to capture the diplomatic fallout and its significance. The revised title aims to draw attention while reflecting the intensity of China’s reaction.