In a development that is being seen from a strategic viewpoint, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a departure from the practice and dialled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to wish him on his 86th birthday.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said that India prays for a long and healthy life for the Dalai Lama, who is revered by millions.
“Spoke on phone to His Holiness the @DalaiLama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life,” the PM tweeted this morning.
It may be noted that the Dalai Lama, who has sought refuge in India (Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh) after fleeing from Tibet more than half a century ago along with many of his supporters after Chinese troops invaded the capital Lhasa in 1959, is well respected in the country. However, successive governments have maintained a ‘safe political distance’ from the Tibetan spiritual leader in order to not to irk China.
But, today’s significant development marks a departure from that policy and comes amid strained relations between India and China over the lingering LAC dispute in eastern Ladakh.
To put things in perspective, China regards the Dalai Lama as a “separatist” and doesn’t welcome international leaders calling on the Tibetan spiritual leader. It has in the past even objected to the Dalai Lama taking part in official functions or visiting places at the invitation of the Indian government.
Responding to the development, Tibetan leaders and activists in India have welcomed PM Modi’s call. A Tibetan Parliament member described the call as a strong message to Beijing.
“This is a positive move from PM Modi on wishing happy birthday to His Holiness (Dalai Lama). PM Modi wants to send a message that India is no longer going to be very cautious talking about Tibet. It sends a very strong message to China,” said Dolma Tsering, as per ANI.
“PM Modi calling the Dalai Lama to wish him on his birthday is a great gesture, despite the border issue between India and China. This is a sign of India showing its strength. It is a very strong message to China,” added Lobsang Wangyal, a Tibetan activist.
It may be noted that the Tibetan government in exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration, operates from Dharamsala and is headed by democratically-elected Penpa Tsering.
Speaking at a function today to celebrate His Holiness’s birthday in Dharamsala, Tsering noted that the Dalai Lama was the key to resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the foremost guides of our time and is one of the few individuals who can reorient Sino-Tibetan history toward a positive direction. The Chinese government should therefore recognise that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the key to resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict,” Tsering said.
“It should utilise the opportunity offered by the mutually beneficial middle-way approach to foster a harmonious environment where Tibetans and Chinese can co-exist amicably. Therefore, we appeal to the Chinese government to earnestly invite His Holiness to Tibet and China on pilgrimage without any precondition,” he added.
