Voice for the voiceless: Marking the 66 the anniversary of HH Dalai Lama's arrival in India; By Commodore R S Vasan

Image Courtesy: The Office of His Holiness

The current issue of China Watch (16th March to 31st March) marks the entry of HH Dalai Lama to India on 31st March 1959 after the forceful occupation of Tibet by China. HH Dalai Lama and his loyalists, who fled Tibet along with many sacred manuscripts, found refuge in India. During a meeting with researchers from this think tank before COVID-19, HH Dalai Lama explained the efforts put in to bring these valuable religious scriptures across inhospitable mountainous terrain, ensuring that this treasure is now preserved in Dharamshala. While Tibetan communities have been supported in various states across India, Dharamshala is widely recognized as the religious and political capital of Tibetan refugees, who have found full support from Indians.

China views the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, located in Dharamshala, with suspicion, seeing it as a platform for aiding secessionist activities. India, despite not being a signatory to the refugee convention, has welcomed refugees from diverse backgrounds and provided extensive support, enabling Tibetan refugees to benefit from local systems. This open access has been instrumental in preserving their unique cultural identity.

HH Dalai Lama has previously maintained that he may not oppose being part of China, provided that Tibet’s cultural and religious identity is respected. However, China’s recent actions, including systemic persecution and prohibitions on cultural and religious practices, have alarmed Tibetans in exile worldwide. This has led to increasing calls for independence, with many Tibetans and international supporters urging the Dalai Lama to take a stronger stance against Chinese control. The momentum for Tibetan independence remains alive among both the diaspora and foreign supporters of HH Dalai Lama establishment.

The recent book by HH Dalai Lama, Voice for the Voiceless, released in early January 2025, has further escalated tensions. The book raises sharp concerns over China’s policies in Tibet, prompting an angry response from Beijing. HH Dalai Lama reiterates in this book that his reincarnation will undoubtedly emerge from a free world, reinforcing his opposition to Chinese attempts at controlling Tibetan spiritual leadership.

From India’s geopolitical perspective, China’s occupation of Tibet in 1950 brought Beijing into direct proximity with Indian borders—a shift that significantly altered regional dynamics. The 1962 war, the subsequent trust deficit, and recurring border conflicts, including the Doklam standoff and post-Galwan developments, have further complicated relations. While there are recent signs of diplomatic engagement, the unresolved border dispute continues to overshadow bilateral ties, making them largely transactional.

From China’s viewpoint, despite India’s assurances that HH Dalai Lama does not engage in political activities, his presence in India is perceived as tacit support for Tibetan aspirations. China’s promise that the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) would retain its distinct cultural and religious identity has not been honored. The large-scale relocation of Han Chinese into Tibet has altered its demographic composition, leading to significant unrest. Additionally, China’s extensive military buildup in the region and its construction of large dams on Tibetan rivers—sources for major Himalayan river systems—have raised concerns about potential water conflicts between upstream and downstream nations.

Tibet has witnessed repeated uprisings, including self-immolations, in protest against Chinese rule. However, these demonstrations have been suppressed through advanced surveillance, strict monitoring, and intelligence operations. High-resolution AI-enabled cameras across Tibet have made it nearly impossible for dissidents to mobilize. The mass exodus of Tibetans has declined due to heightened security measures, leaving only the diaspora and international supporters as primary voices advocating for Tibetan independence. Meanwhile, Tibetan education in government-run schools is being reshaped to align with Communist Party ideology, aiming to disconnect younger generations from their cultural heritage.

A significant point of contention is China’s attempt to control Tibetan spiritual succession. The Communist Party’s decision to select the next Panchen Lama has been widely rejected by Tibetans, who refer to the Chinese-appointed figure, Gyaltsen Norbu, as Panchen Zuma (meaning "fake Lama"). HH Dalai Lama has firmly asserted that his successor will not be born in China but in a free country—a statement that has deeply unsettled the Chinese 

The Dalai Lama has had to contend with the People’s Republic of China for nearly his entire life. He was sixteen years old when Communist China invaded Tibet in 1950, only nineteen when he had his first meeting with Chairman Mao in Beijing, and twenty-five when he was forced to escape to India and became a leader in exile. In the decades since, he has faced Communist China’s leaders—Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and Xi Jinping—in his efforts to protect Tibet and its people, with their distinct language, culture, religion, history, and environment, in the face of the greatest possible obstacles.

Now, almost seventy-five years after China’s initial invasion of Tibet, the Dalai Lamatgrough his book  reminds the world of Tibet’s unresolved struggle for freedom and the hardship his people continue to face in their own homeland. He offers his thoughts on the geopolitics of the region and shares how he personally was able to preserve his own humanity through the profound losses and challenges that threaten the very survival of the Tibetan people. it is hoped that the commemoration of the arrival of HH Dalai Lama today on the 66th year and his recent outpourings in his book would rekindle the spiritual and cultural longings of Tibetans around the world towards self discovery and find support from the free world.