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Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Dalai Lama alone can decide on reincarnation: French scholar Arpi
'Whether the Dalai Lama chooses reincarnation or emanation that decision lies with him,' said French scholar and expert on Tibetan affairs, Claude Arpi. French scholar and expert on Tibetan affairs, Claude Arpi during a seminar titled 'Interwoven Roots: Shared Indo-Tibetan Heritage' at the headquarters of the Army Training Command in Shimla on Saturday. (HT Photo) Arpi, was speaking at a seminar titled 'Interwoven Roots: Shared Indo-Tibetan Heritage' at the headquarters of the Army Training Command in Shimla on Saturday. Arpi's statement comes ahead of the 90th birthday of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, who is expected to issue a significant statement on the crucial issue of his reincarnation. The 90th birthday celebrations of the Dalai Lama are scheduled for early July and from July 2 to 4, a three-day conference of Buddhist scholars, senior monks, will be held in Dharmshala. The conference is expected to culminate in a highly anticipated address by the Dalai Lama, in which he is likely to offer clarity on the future of the reincarnation tradition and his own succession plans. Speaking at the seminar while answering questions from the audience, Arpi said, 'His Holiness (Dalai Lama) has already said clearly that he will not be reborn in China. He has indicated in his writings that he may reincarnate in a free country, likely India.' Speaking on the issue of reincarnation, Arpi said, 'I've always been wary of politicising reincarnation.' Arpi later in interaction with media said, 'A similar landmark religious conference was held in 2011 in Dharamshala, where over 100 senior monks and representatives from all major Tibetan Buddhist sects convened. At the time, the Dalai Lama spoke extensively about the meaning of reincarnation and emanation, and why this spiritual process rooted in centuries of Tibetan tradition must remain free from political interference'. 'In that message, Dalai Lama had said once he turns 90, he will give a precise indication about whether he intends to return through reincarnation. But meanwhile, China has been trying to hijack this sacred tradition,' said Arpi, while talking to the media on the sidelines of the seminar. 'China is very upset,' he added. At the seminar, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C, Central Command, emphasised the historical, cultural, spiritual and strategic ties between India and Tibet. In his keynote address, he underlined the importance of understanding these linkages in the current geopolitical context and said that India and Tibet, as ancient civilizations, share a deep-rooted heritage that remains vital today. Highlighting strategic concerns, he referenced past conflicts like the 1962 war and the Nathu La clashes, stressing the need for readiness, surveillance and technological connectivity in the sensitive terrain. The seminar brought together Army and ITBP personnel, civil officials, Buddhist monks, scholars, students and civilians. Arpi highlighted the historical significance of the Kailash Yatra, Silk Route trade, and monasteries as centres of diplomacy. He also expressed concern over the decline in the Tibetan population in India and called for stronger cultural and strategic engagement, especially in regions like Ngari and Western Tibet. The seminar concluded with a call to enhance border area development, promote cultural exchanges, revive ancient routes, preserve Himalayan languages and improve cross-border communication through local media.
Economic Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Army holds discussion on shared Indo-Tibetan heritage
Shimla: India and Tibet are two ancient civilisations with interwoven roots that continue to shape a shared identity, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, said on Saturday. He was addressing a seminar on shared Indo-Tibetan heritage and linked understanding of national security organised by the Army's central command in Shimla. The event brought together scholars, strategists and senior military leaders to examine the deep civilisational ties between India and Tibet and assess their relevance to contemporary border management and regional stability. "The rationale for conducting the seminar stemmed from a growing recognition within the strategic community that cultural depth and historical continuity are essential components of national security particularly in the sensitive Himalayan frontier," an official statement. The seminar -- 'Interwoven Roots: Shared Indo-Tibetan Heritage' -- tried to explored the shared heritage and strategic understanding. Addressing the seminar held at Army Training Command (ARTRAC) here, Lt Gen Sengupta emphasised the significance of cultural diplomacy in national strategy and underscored the Army's commitment to preserving India's territorial and civilisational integrity, a statement issued here said. Asserting that "India and Tibet are two ancient civilisations with interwoven roots that continue to shape a shared identity," Sengupta said that the seminar is a platform to explore the profound historical, cultural, spiritual, and strategic ties that bind India and Tibet." Delving into the strategic dimension, he said, "From the 1962 war to the Nathu La clashes, we have seen that the terrain demands not just readiness, but surveillance, technological connectivity and a nuanced strategy. The seminar concluded with a call to strengthen border area development, promote archaeological research, facilitate archival access and revive cultural exchanges, including opening new routes for Kailash Yatra, improving local radio broadcasts beyond borders and preserving endangered Himalayan languages. The day-long seminar, post the visit of the participants to forward areas along this front between June 24-27, was envisioned as a platform to bridge strategic studies with cultural scholarship allowing defence professionals to draw on historical insight while shaping responses to emerging challenges in border areas. "India and Tibet share not just a border but a long and layered relationship marked by spiritual resonance, cultural fusion, ancient trade linkages and shared civilisational values," the statement said.
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Indian Army organises seminar on Indo-Tibetan ties in Shimla
In its effort towards reinforcing national security awareness through cultural understanding, the Indian Army's Central Command hosted a one-day seminar titled 'Interwoven Roots: Shared Indo-Tibetan Heritage' at DANFE Hall, Shimla on Saturday. The event brought together scholars, strategists and senior military leaders to examine the deep civilisational ties between India and Tibet and assess their relevance to contemporary border management and regional stability. The rationale for conducting the seminar stemmed from a growing recognition within the strategic community that cultural depth and historical continuity are essential components of national security particularly in the sensitive Himalayan frontier. India and Tibet share not just a border but a long and layered relationship marked by spiritual resonance, cultural fusion, ancient trade linkages and shared civilisational values. 'The Indian Army operating at the frontline of both defence and development in these regions has taken the lead in promoting a holistic approach to border security — one that is formed not only by geography and tactics but also by cultural intelligence, community engagement and historical awareness. This seminar was envisioned as a platform to bridge strategic studies with cultural scholarship allowing defence professionals to draw on historical insight while shaping responses to emerging challenges in border areas,' Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Anindya Sengupta, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, who delivered the key-note address said. He emphasised the significance of cultural diplomacy in national strategy and underscored the Army's commitment to preserving India's territorial and civilisational integrity. The seminar featured two thematic sessions with the first on Indo-Tibet linkages, which explored civilisational, spiritual and economic ties of the two countries. In the session, Claude Arpi spoke on historical and cultural bonds between northern India and western Tibet, Dr Shashibala highlighted shared Buddhist traditions and sacred geographies, and Dr Aparna Negi discussed traditional trade routes like Shipki La and their present day relevance. The second session addressed border management and strategic concerns with a panel moderated by Major General G Jaishankar, VSM (retired) covering China's grey-zone strategies, India's border doctrine, psychological and information warfare and diplomatic coordination. Panelists included Lt Gen Raj Shukla (retired), Dr Amrita Jash, Dr Dattesh D Parulekar, Ms Antara Ghosal Singh, and Amb Ashok K Kantha. 'Prior to the seminar, participants undertook a forward area visit from June 24-27 to Pooh, Shipki La, Nako, Sumdo, Giu, Tabo and Kaza. These visits offered a firsthand look into the socio-cultural fabric and strategic significance of the Indo-Tibetan frontier reinforcing the seminar's goal of grounding intellectual discussions in lived realities,' a senior army officer said. In his concluding remarks, Lt Gen D G Misra, AVSM, GOC, Uttar Bharat Area, stressed the necessity of blending cultural continuity with strategic foresight in safeguarding India's borderlands. He commended the speakers for their scholarly contributions and reaffirmed the Army's commitment to promoting platforms that nurture civil-military academic synergy. 'Chinese premier not happy with his army generals; India should take inspiration from Mossad' Penalist Lt Gen Raj Shukla (retired) said in a discussion that the Chinese premier is not happy with his army generals because the former doesn't get what he is expecting from them on the front of Taiwan. 'There is an alarming number of army officers in China who committed suicide in the recent time. There must be something wrong going,' he said. Lt Gen Shukla also stressed that India should take inspiration from the Israeli spy agency Mossad to eliminate the enemies of the country across the border. He spoke on the importance of heavy investment in the start-ups, defence sector if India wants to counter China. He said it is not Pakistan, which is posing a threat to our nation, but China. 'China wants trade only through Nathu La' In the panel discussion, Ambassador Ashok K Kantha, former ambassador of India to China, said, 'China will never show any eagerness of trade through Shipki-La or any other border area except for Nathu La but we (India) do not quite agree on this front'.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Army holds discussion on shared Indo-Tibetan heritage
Shimla: India and Tibet are two ancient civilisations with interwoven roots that continue to shape a shared identity, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, said on Saturday. He was addressing a seminar on shared Indo-Tibetan heritage and linked understanding of national security organised by the Army's central command in Shimla. The event brought together scholars, strategists and senior military leaders to examine the deep civilisational ties between India and Tibet and assess their relevance to contemporary border management and regional stability. "The rationale for conducting the seminar stemmed from a growing recognition within the strategic community that cultural depth and historical continuity are essential components of national security particularly in the sensitive Himalayan frontier," an official statement. The seminar -- 'Interwoven Roots: Shared Indo-Tibetan Heritage' -- tried to explored the shared heritage and strategic understanding . Live Events Addressing the seminar held at Army Training Command (ARTRAC) here, Lt Gen Sengupta emphasised the significance of cultural diplomacy in national strategy and underscored the Army's commitment to preserving India's territorial and civilisational integrity, a statement issued here said. Asserting that "India and Tibet are two ancient civilisations with interwoven roots that continue to shape a shared identity," Sengupta said that the seminar is a platform to explore the profound historical, cultural, spiritual, and strategic ties that bind India and Tibet." Delving into the strategic dimension, he said, "From the 1962 war to the Nathu La clashes, we have seen that the terrain demands not just readiness, but surveillance, technological connectivity and a nuanced strategy. The seminar concluded with a call to strengthen border area development, promote archaeological research, facilitate archival access and revive cultural exchanges, including opening new routes for Kailash Yatra , improving local radio broadcasts beyond borders and preserving endangered Himalayan languages. The day-long seminar, post the visit of the participants to forward areas along this front between June 24-27, was envisioned as a platform to bridge strategic studies with cultural scholarship allowing defence professionals to draw on historical insight while shaping responses to emerging challenges in border areas. "India and Tibet share not just a border but a long and layered relationship marked by spiritual resonance, cultural fusion, ancient trade linkages and shared civilisational values," the statement said.
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Army holds discussion on shared Indo-Tibetan heritage
Shimla, India and Tibet are two ancient civilisations with interwoven roots that continue to shape a shared identity, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, said on Saturday. Army holds discussion on shared Indo-Tibetan heritage He was addressing a seminar on shared Indo-Tibetan heritage and linked understanding of national security organised by the Army's central command in Shimla. The event brought together scholars, strategists and senior military leaders to examine the deep civilisational ties between India and Tibet and assess their relevance to contemporary border management and regional stability. "The rationale for conducting the seminar stemmed from a growing recognition within the strategic community that cultural depth and historical continuity are essential components of national security particularly in the sensitive Himalayan frontier," an official statement. The seminar 'Interwoven Roots: Shared Indo-Tibetan Heritage' tried to explored the shared heritage and strategic understanding. Addressing the seminar held at Army Training Command here, Lt Gen Sengupta emphasised the significance of cultural diplomacy in national strategy and underscored the Army's commitment to preserving India's territorial and civilisational integrity, a statement issued here said. Asserting that "India and Tibet are two ancient civilisations with interwoven roots that continue to shape a shared identity," Sengupta said that the seminar is a platform to explore the profound historical, cultural, spiritual, and strategic ties that bind India and Tibet." Delving into the strategic dimension, he said, "From the 1962 war to the Nathu La clashes, we have seen that the terrain demands not just readiness, but surveillance, technological connectivity and a nuanced strategy. The seminar concluded with a call to strengthen border area development, promote archaeological research, facilitate archival access and revive cultural exchanges, including opening new routes for Kailash Yatra, improving local radio broadcasts beyond borders and preserving endangered Himalayan languages. The day-long seminar, post the visit of the participants to forward areas along this front between June 24-27, was envisioned as a platform to bridge strategic studies with cultural scholarship allowing defence professionals to draw on historical insight while shaping responses to emerging challenges in border areas. "India and Tibet share not just a border but a long and layered relationship marked by spiritual resonance, cultural fusion, ancient trade linkages and shared civilisational values," the statement said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
