image source, @SecBlinken
China has raised strong objections to the meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and representatives of Tibetan Buddhist guru Dalai Lama in India on Wednesday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Chao Lijian was asked questions by Beijing Youth Daily in a regular press conference on Thursday about US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meeting with representatives of Tibetan Buddhist guru Dalai Lama in India. In response to this question, China has given a strong response.
Chao Lijian said, “The issue of Tibet is entirely China’s internal matter and no foreign interference will be tolerated in it. The 14th Dalai Lama is not just a religious figure but a politically exiled person and has long been From being involved in anti-China separatist activities.
“They are trying to separate Tibet from China. China strongly opposes any contact between foreign officials and the Dalai Lama. The meeting between an American side and the Dalai Lama is a violation of America’s commitment that it recognizes that Tibet is part of China and will not support the “independence of Tibet”.
“America must honor its commitment and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs. America should not support those involved in anti-China separatist activities. China will take every step to protect its interests.
On July 6 this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given information on Twitter about congratulating the Dalai Lama on his birthday, then China had also expressed strong objection to this. PM Modi had called the Dalai Lama and congratulated him on his 86th birthday and made this information public through a tweet.
This is noteworthy because Modi, who had given public congratulatory messages to the Dalai Lama several times in the past, had not done so for the past few years.
It was believed that India was taking extra care on all contentious issues in its attempt to improve relations with China in the last few years. But Modi’s congratulatory message to the Dalai Lama was taken as an important event due to the strain in relations between India and China in the last one year.
Did PM Modi show courage in the case of China?
Dalai Lama in India
On 31 March 1959, this religious leader of Tibet had stepped into India. On March 17, he had set out on foot from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and crossed the Himalayan mountains and entered the Indian border after 15 days. When there was no news of him and his associates during the journey, many people started fearing that he might have died.
The Dalai Lama was accompanied by some soldiers and cabinet ministers. To avoid the eyes of China, these people used to travel only at night. According to Time magazine, later such rumors also spread that “the prayers of the people of Buddhism caused mist and clouds to protect them from the sight of red ships.”
image source, Getty Images
Who is the Dalai Lama?
The Dalai Lama is an 85 year old Tibetan spiritual leader. China lays claim to Tibet. After all, why is China so annoyed with this 85-year-old man? China officially raises objections to the governments of the country where the Dalai Lama visits. After all, why is it so?
China considers the Dalai Lama a separatist. He thinks that the Dalai Lama is a problem for him.
Even when the Dalai Lama goes to America, China’s ears stand up. However, in 2010, the then US President Barack Obama met the Dalai Lama despite China’s opposition.
The history of China and the Dalai Lama is the history of China and Tibet.
The Gelug school was founded by J. Sikhampa in 1409. Buddhism was propagated through this school.
This place was between India and China which is known as Tibet. The most famous student of this school was Gendun Drup. Gendun who later became the first Dalai Lama.
Followers of Buddhism view the Dalai Lama as a metaphor. They are seen as a symbol of compassion.
On the other hand, his supporters also see him as their leader. The Dalai Lama is seen primarily as a teacher. Lama means guru. Lama inspires his people to follow the right path.
Leaders of Tibetan Buddhism guide all Buddhists around the world.
There has been fighting between the Buddhists and the Tibetan leadership since the unification of Tibet in the 1630s. There has been a fight for power here among the factions of Manchu, Mongol and Oirat. Eventually the fifth Dalai Lama was able to unify Tibet.
With this, Tibet had emerged as a culturally prosperous one. With the unification of Tibet, Buddhism prospered here. The Gelug Buddhists also recognized the 14th Dalai Lama.
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Contemporary Relations between China and the Dalai Lama
There has been controversy regarding the election process of the Dalai Lama. The 13th Dalai Lama declared Tibet independent in 1912.
After about 40 years, the people of China invaded Tibet. This invasion of China happened when the process of electing the 14th Dalai Lama was going on there. Tibet had to face defeat in this battle.
A few years later, the people of Tibet revolted against Chinese rule. They started demanding their sovereignty. However, the rebels did not succeed in this.
The Dalai Lama felt that he would be badly trapped in the Chinese clutches. During this time he turned to India. A large number of Tibetans also came to India along with the Dalai Lama. This was the year 1959.
China did not like the Dalai Lama getting asylum in India. Then China was ruled by Mao Zedong.
Tensions escalated between the Dalai Lama and the Communist regime of China. The Dalai Lama received sympathy from all over the world but till now he is living a life of exile.
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Dalai Lama’s image made as a symbol of peace
The Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. The Dalai Lama now says that he does not want independence from China, but wants autonomy.
The dispute that started between the Dalai Lama and China since the 1950s is not over yet. Due to the Dalai Lama’s stay in India, relations with China are often bad.
India’s stand has also been changing regarding Tibet.
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