China on Thursday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for wishing Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on his 87th birthday, saying India should stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs.
On Wednesday, on turning 87, Modi congratulated the Dalai Lama over the phone.
“Wishing His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 87th birthday over the phone earlier today. We pray for his long life and good health,” Modi tweeted on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister had also wished him on his birthday last year.
Supporters of the Dalai Lama celebrate his birthday in Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lama lives in exile.
Responding to a question on Modi’s greeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing that “the Indian side must fully recognize the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama.”
“China must abide by its commitment, speak and act wisely, and stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs,” Zhao said.
He also targeted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for greeting the Dalai Lama.
In his greeting, Blinken said, “His Holiness brings light to his fellow Tibetans and many people around the world by promoting peace, encouraging inter-religious harmony, and advocating for the preservation of the Tibetan language and culture.”
“I admire His Holiness’s continued commitment to nonviolence to address the grievances of the Tibetan community,” Blinken said in his message posted on the US State Department website. I thank him for his dedication and service to humanity. Thank you too.”
“The United States will continue to support His Holiness and the Tibetan community’s efforts to preserve Tibet’s distinctive linguistic, religious and cultural traditions, including the ability to freely choose their own religious leaders,” he said.
Criticizing Blinken’s greeting, Zhao said, “Tibet affairs are China’s internal affairs, with no foreign interference. China is against any country’s association with the 14th Dalai Lama.”
He said the Dalai Lama is a political exile disguised as a religious figure who has long been involved in anti-China separatist activities.
“We urge the US side to fully understand the important and sensitive nature of issues relating to Tibet, to respect China’s core interests, to have a clear understanding of the anti-China separatist nature of the Dalai Group, and to abide by our commitment to Tibet.” issues, stop engaging in any form with the Dalai Lama and stop sending any wrong signals to the outside world.”
He said that in the long run, Tibet has enjoyed rich economic development, social harmony, stability and the cultural traditions in Tibetan have been well preserved.
People of different ethnic backgrounds in Tibet have religious freedom and the free right to use and develop their region and language spoken.
“The international community is witness to this,” he said.
China accuses the Dalai Lama of engaging in “separatist” activities, however, the Tibetan spiritual leader insists that he seek “de facto autonomy for all Tibetans living in Tibet’s three traditional provinces” under a “middle-way approach”. “Not demanding.