'Blessed by his presence in our country': Kiren Rijiju attends Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebrations; vows to follow spiritual leader's directions

Union minister Kiren Rijiju joined the 90th birthday celebrations of the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, on Sunday. The event was marked by prayers, tributes, and expressions of deep reverence for the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Tibetan Buddhist monks in exile held special prayers at Dorjidak Monastery near Shimla to honour the milestone.

Addressing the gathering, Kiren Rijiju said, "...Your holiness, you are more than a spiritual leader. You are a living bridge between ancient wisdom and the modern world.”

“We feel blessed by his presence in our country, which he regards as his 'aryabhoomi’'," he added.

On the eve of his birthday, during celebrations at the main Dalai Lama temple in McLeodganj, the Dalai Lama reflected on life in exile. "Though we have lost our country and we are living in exile in India, that's where I have been able to benefit beings quite a lot. Those living here in Dharamshala. I intend to benefit and serve beings as much as I can."

The celebrations came amid renewed debate over the Dalai Lama’s succession, a matter of contention between India and China. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning recently said that the selection of the next Dalai Lama must follow a process approved by Beijing, warning India to handle Tibet-related matters with "caution" to avoid straining bilateral ties.

Responding to the remarks, Rijiju reaffirmed India's position, saying, "As a devotee and on behalf of millions of devotees across the world, I want to state that whatever decision taken by His Holiness, the established traditions and conventions, we will fully abide by it and follow the directions and guidelines to be issued by the institution of the Dalai Lama,"

The Dalai Lama has also made it clear that his successor will be chosen by the India-based Gaden Phodrang Trust, the non-profit he founded, rejecting any external interference—a message widely seen as directed at China.