'Govt doesn't take position on matters of religion': India on Dalai Lama succession row

India on Friday said that the government does not take any position on matters concerning practices of faith and religion, in response to queries regarding recent statement made by  Dalai Lama on his successor.

“We have seen reports relating to the statement made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution,” the MEA statement said.

Our response to media queries regarding recent statement by HH the Dalai Lama⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/u24fGzWzEz pic.twitter.com/PwSUezcjGr

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 4, 2025

“Government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion. Government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so,” it added.

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The MEA’s statement comes after Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s assertion that the decision on the Dalai Lama’s successor should rest entirely with the spiritual leader himself.

“I am a devotee of the Dalai Lama. Anybody in the world who follows the Dalai Lama wants his successor to be chosen by the Dalai Lama himself,” Rijiju said.

“There is no need for us to be in confusion regarding the Dalai Lama issue. All the people who follow Buddhism as their religion and his followers think that the Dalai Lama should choose his successor on his own. There is no need for us or the Government of India to speak on this,” he added.

On July 2, Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, said that the institution of Dalai Lama will continue even after his death and no one else has the authority to decide on the matter. He further said that the next Dalai Lama will be chosen outside of China.

With inputs from agencies