'Without Interference': US Has Message For China In Birthday Greetings To Dalai Lama

Last Updated:July 06, 2025, 09:17 IST

US State Department extended birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama and said that America supports the efforts to preserve Tibetans' ability to freely choose their religious leaders.

Dalai Lama 90th birthday: US greets Tibetan leader on birthday (Reuters Image)

The United States extended its birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama on Saturday (local time) and voiced support for the Tibetans’ ability to freely choose their religious leaders “without interference", in an apparent message to China.

In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed America’s commitment to promoting the fundamental freedom of Tibetans.

“The United States extends best wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. The Dalai Lama continues to inspire people by embodying a message of unity, peace, and compassion," Rubio said in the statement.

Without naming China, Rubio conveyed a veiled message of the US support for Tibetans’ cultural and religious freedom, as he said, “The United States remains firmly committed to promoting respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Tibetans. We support efforts to preserve Tibetans’ distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, including their ability to freely choose and venerate religious leaders without interference."

This comes in contradiction to Beijing’s long-standing position on the issue, as China says it holds the right to choose the next Dalai Lama based on old traditions from the time when China was ruled by emperors.

China claims historical authority over Tibet and rejects calls for Tibetan independence. Beijing insists that it owns the right to approve the next Dalai Lama, citing traditions from the imperial era, and maintains strict control over the monasteries and religious practices in Tibet to prevent any form of political dissent.

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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