Dalai Lama's succession decision challenges China, raises stakes for India

a day ago

In a pivotal move ahead of his 90th birthday, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has officially announced that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, his personal trust, will solely oversee the recognition and selection of his reincarnation. This announcement, while reaffirming the traditional Tibetan Buddhist process of identifying the next Dalai Lama, directly challenges China's long-standing claim that the succession must be approved by the Chinese government. The decision carries profound geopolitical implications, especially for India, where the Dalai Lama has lived in exile since 1959, and which hosts the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala. In an exclusive interview with India Today Global's Geeta Mohan, Dr. Jabin Jacob, an expert on China at Shiv Nadar University, offered a detailed perspective on the evolving dynamics. Dr. Jacob highlighted that this announcement is in line with what the Dalai Lama had long promised—making a clear decision about his succession upon turning 90. While the move signals a return to tradition, it also represents a strategic pivot. 'He has moved away from earlier suggestions such as naming his successor in his lifetime or being reincarnated outside of Tibet. Instead, he has opted for the conventional path, involving consultations with high lamas, the Tibetan Parliament in exile, and even indirect requests from inside Tibet,' Jacob said. However, Dr. Jacob cautioned that this traditional approach does not necessarily reduce Beijing's influence. 'China continues to assert its authority over Tibetan religious matters, including succession. By reverting to a traditional selection process, the door is not shut on Chinese interference. China could still attempt to control or recognise a parallel Dalai Lama,' he warned. The issue also brings into sharp focus India's delicate balancing act. For decades, India has hosted the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan diaspora, offering sanctuary while attempting to avoid antagonising China. Asked whether India has strategically used the Dalai Lama issue in its foreign policy toolkit, Dr. Jacob rejected the simplistic notion of a 'Tibet card.' 'Our decisions have largely been guided by national interest and a degree of morality. India's actions—hosting the Dalai Lama and supporting the Tibetan community—have not been transactional. To exploit the Tibetan cause would make us no different from the Chinese,' he said. However, he added that the Dalai Lama's succession will inevitably have direct implications for India, and Delhi must be prepared to assert its stake in the process. Geeta Mohan also recalled the inconsistency in India's stance over the years—how during periods of engagement with China, New Delhi had issued advisories discouraging official participation in the Dalai Lama's birthday celebrations. In contrast, during times of tension, such as after the Galwan clash, senior Indian officials have prominently attended Tibetan events. Dr. Jacob criticised this unpredictability. 'If the Indian government believes ambiguity brings strategic advantage, it must articulate what those advantages are. Otherwise, this inconsistency only makes us vulnerable to pressure, diminishes credibility, and creates confusion both domestically and internationally,' he asserted. He added that a clear, principled stand would also signal to the Tibetan community that their interests remain a priority for India. Addressing the controversial 2003 decision by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to recognise the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of China, Dr. Jacob clarified that this was not a blanket historical endorsement. 'India acknowledged the TAR as a political reality, not as a historical validation of China's claims. In return, China recognised Sikkim as Indian territory. That was the quid pro quo,' he explained. While some question why Kashmir was not included in the bargain, Dr. Jacob pointed out that China has consistently maintained a technically neutral position on the issue. Though it supports Pakistan practically, its official stance—based on a 1963 agreement with Pakistan—leaves room for future negotiation depending on the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Ultimately, the Dalai Lama's succession will not just be a religious matter—it's a geopolitical flashpoint. With China, India, and the Tibetan people all having a stake in the outcome, the coming years will test New Delhi's diplomatic clarity, resolve, and moral compass.- EndsTune In
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Socialist Mamdani faces backlash over mother Mira Nair's $2-million house

India Today

11 minutes ago

India Today

Socialist Mamdani faces backlash over mother Mira Nair's $2-million house

With only four months remaining until New York City elects its new mayor, the race is hotting up. While at least three other candidates are in the fray, Zohran Mamdani, born to parents Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, both of whom have Indian roots, is under particular scrutiny due to his socialist stance, which many deem "radical". Now, critics are pointing to Mamdani and his family's wealth to point out that the politician is too privileged to harp on the latest instance, The New York Post reported that his socialist stance has come under public notice, drawing attention to both his policy proposals and family background. Mamdani's mother, Mira Nair, is an award-winning Indian-American filmmaker, and his father is a renowned author and a professor at Columbia including MAGA activists like Laura Loomer and Meghan McCain, have labelled him a "nepo baby", pointing to his elite education and family wealth, with posts on X estimating his parents' net worth between $2 million and $10 million. The 33-year-old Democratic socialist and New York State Assembly member from Astoria, is a prominent contender in the 2025 New York City mayoral race, and has been in the limelight for advocating for sweeping changes to address economic inequality in the city. Among his radical plans is a hefty tax on the candidacy could mark a milestone: he could be New York City's first Muslim mayor, and one who has roots in PRIVILEGED IS MAMDANI?The scrutiny surrounding Mamdani's socialist stance stems from his privileged background, which critics argue undercuts his working-class mother, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, known for films like Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake, owned a high-end loft at 420 W. 25th St. in Manhattan's West Chelsea from 2008 to 2019, purchased for $1.375 million and sold for $1.45 million, with a current estimated value of $1.9 million, according to realestate firm loft, featuring 12-foot ceilings, a Schiffini-designed kitchen, and a spa-like en-suite bathroom, contrasts with Mamdani's narrative of advocating for the economically disadvantaged, his critics Mamdani owns a 4-acre plot in Uganda, valued at $150,000-$250,000, acquired in 2012, according to his 2024 New York Legislative Ethics Commission perception challenges his authenticity as a socialist advocating for wealth PRIVILEGED UPBRINGING NOW IN FOCUSMamdani's socialist principles may invite scepticism due to the tension between his personal circumstances and his public family's wealth and property ownership, particularly in a high-value Manhattan neighbourhood, could be seen as contradictory to his calls for taxing the rich, prompting accusations of argue that his privileged upbringing, marked by elite schooling and a culturally prominent family, distances him from the working-class struggles he his radical policies, such as fare-free buses and city-run grocery stores, have been criticised as unrealistic by both moderates and conservatives, who view them as pandering to progressive voters rather than offering practical disconnect fuels doubts about whether Mamdani's socialism is a genuine commitment or a strategic political these criticisms, Mamdani's campaign has resonated with younger, progressive, and immigrant communities, particularly New York City's Muslim population, which exceeds 350,000 registered viral social media presence has amplified his message of affordability and who lives in a rent-stabilised one-bedroom apartment in Queens (estimated rent: $2,500/month), positions himself as a champion of the working class, distancing his personal lifestyle from his family's campaign's success, raising $8 million with significant public matching funds, underscores his grassroots ARE MAMDANI'S SOCIALIST PROPOSALS?Mamdani has proposed rent freezes, affordable housing, and a property tax overhaul to shift burdens from lower-income outer-borough homeowners to wealthier Manhattan campaign focusses on rectifying the city's skewed property tax system, which he argues unfairly benefits owners of high-value properties in affluent proposal seeks to lower taxes for homeowners in neighbourhoods like Jamaica and Brownsville while increasing rates for upscale properties, such as those in Manhattan's wealthiest also champions freezing rents on stabilised units and building 200,000 units of publicly owned housing over the next decade, funded by taxing the rich and Mamdani rode his popularity and promises to emerge as the democratic candidate for the NYC mayoral election, he faces a major challenge as his privileged upbringing and his family's wealth are being used to label him a "hypocrite".- Ends

India hits back at US over auto tariffs, proposes retaliatory duties at WTO

Indian Express

12 minutes ago

Indian Express

India hits back at US over auto tariffs, proposes retaliatory duties at WTO

India has proposed imposing retaliatory tariffs on select US products in response to Washington's safeguard duties on automobile imports from India, according to a notification circulated at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The notification, submitted to the WTO's Council for Trade in Goods, outlines India's plan to suspend concessions or other obligations under the WTO framework. The move follows the US decision to levy a 25 per cent ad valorem tariff on imports of passenger vehicles, light trucks, and certain automobile parts from India, effective May 3, 2025. India has argued that these safeguard measures violate the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. New Delhi also noted that the United States has not officially notified these measures to the WTO, despite their significant impact on bilateral trade. 'The proposed suspension of concessions or other obligations would take the form of an increase in tariffs on selected products originating in the United States,' the notification of the WTO said, adding: 'This notification is made in connection with safeguard measures extended by the United States of America on imports of automobile parts from India.' As consultations requested by India have not taken place, the country has invoked its right under WTO rules to suspend equivalent concessions. According to the notification, the US tariffs are expected to affect Indian exports worth $2.895 billion annually, resulting in a projected duty collection of $723.75 million. 'Accordingly, India's proposed suspension of concessions would result in an equivalent amount of duty collected from products originating in the United States,' the notice states. India has also reserved the right to modify the list of targeted products and the level of tariffs as necessary, and to issue further notifications if required. 'India reserves the right to withdraw, modify, supplement or replace this notification,and/or make a further notification or notifications as and when required.' The move comes even as India and the United States continue negotiations on an interim trade agreement to strengthen bilateral trade ties. Last month, India had taken similar action in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminium. (With Inputs from PTI)

‘India reserves right to suspend…': Govt retaliates to Trump's auto tariffs, proposes counter duties at WTO

Mint

14 minutes ago

Mint

‘India reserves right to suspend…': Govt retaliates to Trump's auto tariffs, proposes counter duties at WTO

The Indian government has proposed to levy retaliatory duties against the United States under World Trade Organisation (WTO) norms as safeguard measures against American tariffs on the automobile sector. "The proposed suspension of concessions or other obligations would take the form of an increase in tariffs on selected products originating in the United States," PTI quoted a notification of the WTO that has been circulated at the request of India. "India reserves the right to suspend concessions or other obligations", the WTO notification added. The government has informed the WTO's Council for Trade in Goods about its plan to suspend concessions and other obligations under specific provisions of the global trade body.