Image source: The Indian Express

Originally Published as (with Devendra Kumar) ‘Why India must rethink its Tibet policy’, The Indian Express, 7 August 2025.

The July 2 announcement by the 14th Dalai Lama stating that the traditional process of his reincarnation will continue is an occasion to examine Indian and Chinese responses, the reasons for the Dalai Lama’s decision and to ask the question of what Indian policy going ahead should be.

Now that the Dalai Lama has made his position clear, what is the best possible outcome for India? That the next Dalai Lama is born in India? That the next Dalai Lama is not born in India and, therefore, does not complicate its ties with China? Or, that there will be two Dalai Lamas, leaving open the option of another “Tibet card” for India to use in the future?

For more, Visit https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/why-india-must-rethink-its-tibet-policy-dalai-lama-10172925/