Issues related to Tibet thorn in ties with India: China

Ahead of external affairs minister S Jaishankar's first visit to China since the deadly border clashes in 2020, Beijing on Sunday said that Tibet-related issues such as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama are a “thorn” in bilateral relations that have become a “burden” for New Delhi.

- Rezaul H Laskar

Jaishankar is set to visit China this week for the first time since bilateral ties plummeted to their lowest point in six decades because of the military standoff in Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The two sides are currently engaged in the delicate task of normalising their relations after agreeing in October last year to end the face-off in Ladakh.

China reacted angrily after the Dalai Lama announced ahead of his 90th birthday on July 9 that only a trust set up by him can recognise his reincarnation.