PM Modi Rings Dalai Lama On Birthday, Sign Of Friction With Beijing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called up His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his birthday, wishing him a long and healthy life, disregarding any potential disapproval from China. Last year, PM Modi did not wish the Dalai Lama in public after the faceoff with Chinese troops in the Galwan valley.

China does not accept the Dalai Lama's government-in-exile in India and frowns on any engagement with him.

"Spoke on phone to His Holiness the @DalaiLama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life," tweeted the Prime Minister.

Spoke on phone to His Holiness the @DalaiLama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 6, 2021

Taking note of the Prime Minister's tweet, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi urged the Prime Minister to send a message to China by meeting the Dalai Lama.

"Very good, sir! But it would have sent a strong message to China had you met HH Dalai Lama in person," tweeted Mr Owaisi in response to the Prime Minister's tweet.

Very good, sir! But it would have sent a strong message to China had you met HH Dalai Lama in person https://t.co/gtjOwW58GB

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) July 6, 2021

The Prime Minister had sent a private birthday greeting to the Dalai Lama in 2019.

In 2018, India and China had agreed not to air differences between the two governments in public.