Dalai Lama Successor
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the biggest asset for India. So above all India should say that we would welcome the 15th Dalai Lama in India. The way we have welcomed the 14th Dalai Lama”. Claude Arpi, Historian, Author, Tibetologist and Distinguished Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies at the Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence says in this interview with StratNews Global’s Amitabh P. Revi.
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Dalai Lama’s Succession
Referring to his suggestion, Claude elaborates, “That would be a meaningful declaration from the Ministry of External Affairs. I hope that Dr Jaishankar listens to that (suggestion). And accordingly says we have welcomed the 14th Dalai Lama in 1959. We will welcome the 15th Dalai Lama if he decides to take birth or emanate in India”.
In fact, on the succession of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetologist says, “India is a secular country. It’s written in the Constitution. China is an atheist country. But they decide everything on religious affairs, in particular of Tibet. Above all, they have no business to select the Dalai Lama. They don’t know anything about reincarnation. India will not do that. India will not dictate or tell the Dalai Lama you should do this or that”.
Suggestion To India
“It’s entirely his decision. And the people around them. India could say you should announce it as soon as possible. Because India has some concern with all its Himalayan population from Tawang to Sikkim to Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur. India could very well say that we will welcome the 15th Dalai Lama. Or if he decides to emanate, we will provide the same facility that we have (for the 14th Dalai Lama). It is not interfering in the religious affairs of Tibet or the decision of the Dalai Lama to select the way he wants to come back. But it’s something-a small gesture. And because it will give a message to China that we are secular. We are not interfering in his religious business. But we want to welcome him.”
