China protests to India over PM Modi's greetings on Dalai Lama's 90th birthday
Ms. Mao was replying to a question on Prime Minister Modi's greeting the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and the attendance of senior Indian officials at his birthday celebrations.
The 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile, who for a long, has been engaged in separatist activities and attempted to separate Xizang from China under the cover of religion, Ms. Mao alleged.
China refers to Tibet as Xizang.
"India should fully appreciate the great sensitivity of Xizang-related issues and recognise the anti-separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama and honour the commitment it made to China on issues related to Xizang," she said.
India should act and speak prudently and stop using this issue to meddle in China's internal affairs, she said, adding that 'China has protested to the Indian side' on the matter.
Prime Minister Modi on Sunday extended warm wishes to the Dalai Lama, and said he has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline.
"His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life," Mr. Modi posted on X.
Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Sikkim minister Sonam Lama had attended his birthday celebrations in Dharamshala.
China on last Friday objected to Minority Affairs Minister Mr. Rijiju's statement that the incarnation of the Dalai Lama should follow his own wishes, urging India to act cautiously on Tibet-related issues to avoid affecting the improvement of bilateral relations.
India should be clear of the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama and honour its commitments on Xizang (Tibet) related issues, Ms. Mao told media here reacting to Mr. Rijiju's assertion that the decision on the incarnation of the Dalai Lama would be taken by the established institution and the leader of Tibetan Buddhist himself and no one else.
Last Wednesday, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, and only the Gaden Phodrang Trust will have the authority to recognise his future reincarnation.
Ms. Mao had reiterated China's stand that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, the second-highest priest of Tibetan Buddhism, has to comply with rigorous religious rituals and historical conventions in line with domestic search, lots drawn from a 'golden urn' and the central government's approval.
The present 14th Dalai Lama went through this procedure and was approved by the then central government, she had said.
The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must uphold those principles, follow religious rituals and historical conventions, Chinese law and regulations, she had said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
12 minutes ago
- Hans India
Distinguished himself for hardworking nature, wisdom: PM Modi greets Rajnath Singh on his birthday
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended greetings to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on his birthday and said that he has distinguished himself for his hardworking nature and wisdom. PM Modi praised the Defence Minister's efforts to make India self-reliant in defence. 'Best wishes to Union Minister Shri Rajnath Singh Ji on his birthday. He's distinguished himself for his hardworking nature and wisdom. His efforts to make India self-reliant in defence and strengthen our armed forces are commendable. Praying for his long and healthy life,' PM Modi posted on his X handle. Rajnath Singh was born on this day in 1951 in the Bhabhuara village of Uttar Pradesh. He is one of the senior-most political leaders in the country, having entered politics in 1974 and in 1977 was elected as an MLA in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. In October 2000, he became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, but before that, in November 1999, he was the Union Minister of Surface Transport in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the Centre. In 2003, Singh became Minister of Agriculture in Vajpayee's cabinet at the Centre. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) elected Rajnath Singh as the party president for the term 2013 to 1015. As the BJP National President, he embarked on the Bharat Suraksha Yatra. In 2014, he became the Union Minister of Home Affairs in the Narendra Modi government, and in 2019, he was made the Defence Minister of the country. He continued with the portfolio in 2024 when the PM Modi-led NDA retained power at the Centre for the third term. Extending his birthday greetings, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Rajnath Singh was an epitome of ideals, integrity, and restraint in Indian politics. ' … heartfelt birthday greetings to the Honorable Defense Minister Shri @rajnathsingh ji! Your public life of over five decades is a shining example of national policy, national security, and ethical politics. May the grace of Lord Shri Ram remain upon you. May you be blessed with excellent health and a long life,' wrote CM Yogi on his X handle in Hindi (loosely translated). Union Minister Nitin Gadkari extended his heartfelt wishes to his colleague, saying, 'birthday wishes to my colleague in the Union Cabinet, Defense Minister Shri @rajnathsingh ji. I pray to God for your excellent health, long life, and a prosperous life.' Union Home Minister Amit Shah greeted Singh and said he was doing commendable work in strengthening the country's military power and promoting self-reliance in the field of defence. 'Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Union Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Shri @rajnathsingh ji. Under the leadership of Modi ji, you are doing commendable work in continuously strengthening the country's military power and promoting self-reliance in the field of defense. From the organization to the government, you have successfully discharged all responsibilities, inspiring those who lead a social life. I pray to God for your excellent health and long life."
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
T-Mobile ending DEI programs as it seeks US FCC approval for 2 deals
By David Shepardson Wireless carrier T-Mobile US said on Wednesday it is ending its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, under pressure from the Trump administration as it seeks regulatory approval for two major deals. T-Mobile said in a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr made public on Wednesday that the wireless company is ending its DEI-related policies "not just in name, but in substance." T-Mobile said it will no longer have any individual roles or teams focused on DEI, is removing any references to DEI on its websites and has removed references to DEI from its employee training materials. Carr said in a text message he was pleased with the changes. "This is another good step forward for equal opportunity, nondiscrimination and the public interest." T-Mobile is awaiting FCC approval to buy almost all of regional carrier United States Cellular's wireless operations including customers, stores and 30% of its spectrum assets in a deal valued at $4.4 billion. The FCC is also weighing a separate transaction in which T-Mobile would establish a joint venture with KKR to acquire internet service provider Metronet, which reaches more than 2 million homes and businesses in 17 states. T-Mobile plans at closing to invest about $4.9 billion to acquire a 50% equity stake in the joint venture and 100% of Metronet's residential fiber retail operations and customers. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, criticized T-Mobile's action saying "in yet another cynical bid to win FCC regulatory approval, T-Mobile is making a mockery of its professed commitment to eliminating discrimination, promoting fairness, and amplifying underrepresented voices." The FCC in May approved Verizon Communications' $20 billion deal to acquire fiber-optic internet providers Frontier Communications after the largest U.S. telecom company agreed to end its DEI program and after the FCC opened an investigation. Carr, a Republican designated by Trump in January as chair, told Comcast in February he was opening a probe into the NBC News-parent company's promotion of DEI programs. In January, Trump issued sweeping executive orders to dismantle U.S. government DEI programs, and pressured the private sector to join the initiative.
Hindustan Times
14 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
ED raids travel agents in Punjab, Haryana in ‘donkey route' case
Jalandhar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out raids at multiple locations in Punjab and Haryana as part of an investigation into money laundering linked to the 'donkey route' — a network facilitating illegal immigration to the United States. The operation is based on 19 FIRs filed against travel agents and middlemen who exploited Indian citizens seeking to enter the US illegally. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out raids at multiple locations in Punjab and Haryana as part of an investigation into money laundering linked to the 'donkey route' — a network facilitating illegal immigration to the United States. The operation is based on 19 FIRs filed against travel agents and middlemen who exploited Indian citizens seeking to enter the US illegally. Offices and houses of suspects and agents in 11 cities, including Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala and Moga in Punjab and Ambala, Kurukshetra and Karnal in Haryana, are being raided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. The money-laundering case stems from 19 FIRs registered by Punjab and Haryana police departments against the travel/visa agents and middlemen who cheated Indian citizens willing to go to the US illegally, they said. As part of the action, the ED raided the house of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Totewala) leader Sukh Gill in Jalandhar. 'The raids are underway and the details of the operation will be shared later,' said a senior ED official. Another ED official said they have recovered several incriminating documents and digital evidences related to illegal immigration business. 'During the raids, it was found that multiple people are still active in this unholy business even after hundreds of youths were deported back from the US,' he said. As many as 131 youngsters from Punjab were deported on board US military planes in February by the Donald Trump administration. These deportees had attempted to cross the US-Mexico border illegally between January 23 and 28, only to be apprehended by US border security patrols and sent to detention centres. The probe agency later recorded the statements of the deportees. Investigation threw up the names of certain suspects and they are being searched, the official said. Each deportee had paid between ₹45-55 lakh to unknown travel agents, whom they had never met in person but were connected to through local contacts. The ED asked the deportees to furnish all documents, including bank account details of the travel agents to whom payments were made. 'We have initiated a thorough investigation under PMLA as huge sums of illegal financial transactions were involved in this nexus. Based on the statements of the deportees, the money trail will be zeroed-in,' said the ED official. The agency has also indicated that more deportees from Punjab and Haryana may be summoned if required. The investigation aims to uncover the network of travel agents and the flow of illicit funds, which were allegedly used to forge education certificates, experience letters, and other documents to make ineligible visa applicants appear eligible for US visas. On February 25, the ED conducted search operations at five businesses and houses in Ludhiana and Chandigarh linked to M/s Red Leaf Immigration Private Limited, M/s Overseas Partner Education Consultants, and M/s Infowiz Software Solution, among others. During the raids, the agency seized incriminating documents, digital devices, and cash amounting to ₹19 lakh. The ED's investigation revealed that the accused entities had manipulated visa applications by transferring funds to applicants' accounts to show minimum balances required for visa applications. They also forged documents to help applicants meet eligibility criteria. 'By such criminal activities, the accused charged hefty amounts from visa applicants. The proceeds of crime generated through these activities were invested in movable and immovable properties and diverted into various bank accounts,' the ED official said. The probe was initiated based on FIRs registered by Punjab Police and Delhi Police, following a complaint from the Office of Overseas Criminal Investigations at the US Embassy in New Delhi. The complaint highlighted fraudulent activities by visa consultants who exploited aspiring students and workers looking to move to the US. Earlier this month, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two alleged 'U.S. donkey route' human traffickers after searches at two locations in Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. The accused were identified as Sunny of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh and Shubham Sandhal of Rupnagar, who was residing in Peeragarhi in the national capital. Their names surfaced during interrogation of Gagangdeep Singh, who was arrested by the NIA from New Delhi.
