A senior Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organization he has set up have the authority to identify his successor as the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, in a rare comment contradicting rival China's long-held position.

The Dalai Lama asserted sole authority over his reincarnation through the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a move rejected by China. , Asia News - Times Now

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that India should exercise caution in its words and actions, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs with Xizang related issues and avoid impact on the improvement and development of the China-India relationship.