PM, global leaders praise Dalai Lama as he turns 90

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined leaders of the US and Taiwan on Sunday in greeting the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday, which was marked by a grand celebration in Dharamshala attended by Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh.

- Rezaul H Laskar/ Dar Ovais

The celebration capped a week of events during which the Dalai Lama announced the institution of the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism would continue after his death and that a trust founded by him alone can recognise his reincarnation. The remarks riled China, which said it would approve the reincarnation. Beijing also urged New Delhi to act cautiously and not to interfere in China's internal matters.

"I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. He has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline," Modi said in a message on social media that was read at the celebration in Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama has lived since he fled Tibet in 1959 to escape a Chinese military crackdown.