New Delhi: Amid the ongoing debate over the selection of the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama’s successor, the Indian government on Friday said it does not take any stand on issues related to religion and faith.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government has always upheld religious freedom in India and this practice will continue.
“We have seen reports about the Dalai Lama’s statement on continuing the tradition of the Dalai Lama. The Government of India does not take a stand or speak on issues related to religion and faith,” Jaiswal said while responding to questions from reporters.
His remarks came just two days after the Dalai Lama asserted that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the right to choose his successor in the future. The Dalai Lama, who will turn 90 on July 6, had said on Wednesday that the trust, established in 2015, is responsible for dealing with matters related to the tradition of the Dalai Lama.
