Next Dalai Lama must be chosen within China; India should not intervene: Chinese authorities

successor of Dalai Lama has to be decided within China and any interference by India on issue will impact bilateral ties, Chinese authorities have said.

In first clear assertion on sensitive issue, senior Chinese officials and experts said reincarnation of Dalai Lama must be approved by Chinese government and selection should take place within country based on an over 200-year old historical process.

" reincarnation of Dalai Lama is a historical, religious and political issue. re are established historical institutions and formalities for reincarnation of Dalai Lama," Wang Neng Sheng, an official in rank of vice minister in Tibet, told a small group of Indian journalists in Lhasa.

" Dalai Lama's reincarnation is t decided by his personal wish or by some group of people living in or countries," he ded.

Wang, director general at government of Tibet Automous Region, said current Dalai Lama was recognized by Beijing and his successor must be found through "draw of lots in golden urn process" within China.

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Echoing Wang's views, Zha Luo, director at Beijing-based China Tibetology Research Centre, a government-run influential think tank, said any refusal by India to recognise next Dalai Lama to be chosen within China will impact bilateral ties.

14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 following a crackdown on an uprising by local population in Tibet. India granted him political asylum and Tibetan government-in-exile is based on Dharamsala in Himachal Presh since n.

Dalai Lama is 84 years old w and issue of his successor has gained prominence in last couple of years.

"It will be a major political difference that would impact bilateral relations and any wise political leer wouldn't do that," said Zha whose team vises central government on policy issues for Tibet said.

He was asked what will happen if India refuses to recognize next Dalai Lama chosen by China.

"Since reincarnation of Dalai Lama is an important issue for China any friendly country or friend of China would t interfere or meddle on issue," he ded.

Zha, however, called it a hypotical answer to a hypotical question.

India has maintained its stand on Dalai Lama.

"Government of India's position on His Holiness Dalai Lama is clear and consistent. He is a revered religious leer and is deeply respected by people of India. re is change in that position. His Holiness is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson h told a media briefings in March last year.  

Wang said process of selecting next Dalai Lama must follow two clear steps: "It must go to draw of lots in golden urn  and reincarnation must be recognised by central government."

He said "centrality" of central government must be recognised and that any personal move by current Dalai Lama on issue is t going to be recognized by Chinese government or religious followers in Tibet.

"It was with central government's recognition that Dalai Lama became 14th Dalai Lama. Orwise, he wouldn't have been in that position," Wang said.

He alleged that Dalai Lama has been "inciting" and "misguiding" young Tibetan people for his political motives.

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Asked about Dalai Lama's comments that he was rey to accept Tibet as part of China, Wang said he has been resorting to political rhetoric without taking any action.

"He still believes that Tibet is an independent country. Without any concrete moves from his side, his words do t mean anything," he ded.

He said re were around 10 rounds of discussions between private representatives of Dalai Lama and Beijing. last round took place in 2011 in Beijing.

" discussions were about future of Dalai Lama and did t include or touch on topic of future of Tibet as a part of China's sovereign territory," Wang said.

Indian government h issued a te nearly a year back to senior officials, asking m t to attend events organised by Tibetan government-in-exile.

India has also been supporting 'One China' policy, which states that Taiwan and Tibet are part of China's mainland. Beijing me 'One-China' policy a prerequisite for countries to establish diplomatic ties with it.