The strategy of China in Tibet aims to achieve political stability and territorial integrity through a combination of economic development, infrastructure projects, cultural assimilation and security measures, with a strong focus on controlling the region and its population.
China’s strategic interests in Tibet are not hidden. China not only wants absolute control over the Tibet region, but also wants a stronghold on the Tibetan people and their traditions. That is the cause for China’s interference in Tibet’s affairs and the selection of the successor of the revered 14th Dalai Lama. This article explores China’s historical and strategic perspectives on China’s overall interference in Tibet’s governance, by examining China’s interests in Tibet and the selection of the Dalai Lam’s successor, Tibetans’ opposition to China’s moves, clash of interests between India and China.
China’s Interests in Tibet
Military, Economic and Ideological
China’s interests in Tibet are multi-dimensional and multifaceted, which encompass strategic, economic, and ideological motivations. Strategically and militarily, China sees Tibet as a buffer zone and a crucial area for its national security, particularly along its south-western borders. Tibet is located along China’s borders with India, Nepal, and other countries, making it strategically important for China’s national defence and border security. China also sees Tibet as a potential source of instability and separatism, particularly given the influence of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan exile communities, and wants to control it.
Economically, China views Tibet as a rich repository of natural resources, including water, with major rivers like the Yangtze and Yellow located there, minerals like gold, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements, which are vital for China’s development and energy needs.
Ideologically, China views Tibet as an integral part of its territory, historically and culturally, and seeks to maintain its sovereignty over the region, particularly in the face of Tibetan separatist movements. China has now taken over the Tibetan education system by enrolling Tibetan children in China-sponsored schools to indoctrinate them with Chinese ideology.
From the point of view of Culture, China aims to maintain control and social stability in Tibet, viewing the region’s unique culture and political system as a potential source of unrest.
In summary, China’s interests in Tibet are driven by a complex interplay of strategic, economic, ideological and Cultural factors. While China emphasises its historical claims and strategic importance, economic development and resource exploitation also play a major role in its policies towards Tibet.
A careful analysis of Chinese literature on Tibet shows that China no longer sees Tibet solely through the prism of internal security, Tibetan independence & autonomy issues. It doesn’t think Tibet important- only as a buffer for safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. China now expects Tibet to play a bigger, outward-looking, enterprising role in foreign economic, trade, and cultural exchange spheres.
China’s Activities in Tibet, with India in Mind
In China’s current strategic calculations, Tibet is the main gateway for its entry into South Asia, especially India, and the strategically important Indian Ocean, and beyond. China feels that Tibet can evolve as the anchor for China’s strategic land corridors crisscrossing the Indian sub-continent, covering the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and the China-Nepal-India Economic Corridor. China also wants to link them to the maritime corridor, thereby forming the trans-Himalayan Economic Belt, necessary for China’s sustained economic rise.
China wants to position Tibet as a bridgehead between China and India, and for that, Chinese propaganda machinery regularly releases misinformation to keep the world guessing about China’s Tibet policy. Chinese state media often falsely projects that anti-China forces are colluding with Tibet to threaten China’s sovereignty. China uses this as an excuse for border-area consolidation, through development work in Tibet. China proclaims that this is being done to fight the anti-China forces and prevent their infiltration in China (Singh, 2022). The PLA forces in Tibet also undertake multiple large-scale military exercises and drills to showcase to the world China’s combat capabilities. This is a nefarious charade that China undertakes, with India in mind.
Reasons for China’s Interference in the Selection of the Dalai Lama
China, which annexed Tibet in 1950, has maintained tight control over the region ever since. The Chinese government has always tried to interfere with Tibetan religious institutions to ensure they align with the Communist Party’s ideology and control. By controlling the Dalai Lama’s succession, China aims to further consolidate its influence over Tibetan Buddhism..
China’s interest in interfering with the Dalai Lama’s succession stems from a desire to control Tibetan Buddhism and prevent the Dalai Lama from being perceived as a monumental and influential leader of Tibetans. Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a figurehead for Tibetan separatism and seeks to manage the succession, to force the institution to align with Chinese political interests.
However, the current Dalai Lama is a globally recognised figure and deeply revered by Tibetans. Even in exile, he has undermined China’s narrative of control over Tibet because of his popularity and influence. China fears that, if the current Dalai Lama is allowed to name his successors, it will undermine China’s Tibet plans.
It is important to note that the Dalai Lama had promised to make a long-awaited announcement about his reincarnation around his 90th birthday. Finally, in a video broadcast to Tibetan monks and leaders on 03 Jul this year, he laid out the plans. It came amid fears of a ruthless succession battle between the Tibetan community and the Chinese government,
The Dalai Lama’s latest statement was not to the liking of the Communist Party of China, which has long held that only it has the authority to decide the next Dalai Lama and has even enshrined that right into Chinese law.
Amid the reincarnation debate over the Dalai Lama’s successor, the Chinese Ambassador to India has retaliated by highlighting that the Dalai Lama had no authority to decide whether the reincarnation system would continue or not. He further stated that the 14th Dalai Lama has no authority to decide whether the reincarnation system shall continue or be abolished, clearly indicating China’s interference in the Tibetan religious matter. China’s interference has created the possibility of two rival Dalai Lama candidates- one chosen by the Tibetan Buddhist community and another by the Chinese government. This could further destabilise the region and create a schism within Tibetan Buddhism.
China’s interference in the Dalai Lama succession will also have significant international ramifications, especially for India, which hosts the Dalai Lama in exile. The world is closely monitoring the situation, viewing it as a human rights issue and a test of China’s policies toward religious freedom (Agence France-Presse, 2025, HT, 2025).
Tibet’s Opposition to Chinese Interference
In the aftermath of the Chinese domination in 1951, the Tibetans demanded independence from what they called Chinese colonialism. They maintained that they were independent before the Chinese invasion and are entitled to the rights of the colonised people under international law. Despite China’s domination and the initiation of colonial rule in Tibet, the liberative spirit of the Tibetans has remained uncrushed and unshaken in their resolve to fight on till they achieve Self-Governance.
China has never been in favour of people’s rights and national self-determination, and has demonstrated strong reservations toward Tibet and the indestructible will of Tibetans. The Chinese government’s opposition to Tibetans demanding self-determination, and its claims that the Tibetans are being incited by anti-China foreign elements and the Dalai Lama has inevitably united the Tibetans against China’s hegemony.
The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama has clearly stated that in the modern world, when colonialism is being eliminated and the right to freedom of all people is being realised, it is incorrect on the part of China to continue its oppression. It further stated that China was making a grave mistake by thinking that it could forcibly occupy and claim Tibet as part of its territory. HH Dalai Lama wanted China to understand that in the global history, no country, no matter how powerful it may be, has succeeded in endlessly dominating another country, against its will.
The Chinese government, as would be expected, does not agree with the arguments regarding Tibet’s independent national history and colonialism. It claims that Tibet has remained an inseparable part of China since the 13th century, and the Chinese government has not colonised its territory. Rather, the Chinese government presented its administration in Tibet as an act of liberation against feudal forces and foreign imperialists.
However, the Tibetan Government in Exile has always denied the achievements of democratic reform and development in Tibet, and termed them as being done for the sake of China’s political interests and out of a hankering for the dark and backwards days of feudal serfdom (Jnawali,2023)
Unfortunately, the international community has not lent the necessary support to Tibet’s independence movement. Though the United Nations passed three resolutions in 1959, 1961, and 1965 and urged the Chinese government to respect Tibetans’ human rights, fundamental freedoms, and self-determination. But refrained from supporting independence. The Western democratic states had adopted a similar stance towards Tibet. Probably, they found it difficult to stand against China, which holds a dominant position in international power politics and the global economy (Dorjee, 2020).
As a response to these internal and external factors, the Tibetans have changed their official position and proposed what they describe as the middle way and are asking for ‘genuine autonomy’. The Chinese government is still not convinced that the Tibetans’ demand is within the constitutional framework. The Chinese authorities keep claiming that the Dalai Lama and his supporters are seeking independence in the name of autonomy, and they do not respect the Chinese Constitution (Jnawali,2023a)
In summary, the Tibetans believe that they need autonomy to protect their distinct identities. Autonomy can exist in practice through adequate territorial demarcation, self-government, power division, and meaningful representation in the state.
Some Global Views on China’s Interference in Tibet
USA: The USA has been in favour of Tibetans’ right to self-determination. By promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act US affirmed its position that Tibet’s legal status remains to be determined under international law, despite more than six decades of China’s illegal occupation and the Chinese government’s disinformation- falsely claiming that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times, thus, precluding the Tibetans from exercising that rights. The US opined that under China’s brutal occupation, Tibet is now the least-free country on Earth, alongside South Sudan and Syria. This is because since the year 2010, the Chinese government has continued to suppress the Tibetans and refused to negotiate with the Tibetan leaders (ICT, 2022).
UK: The UK considers Tibetans as one of the most repressed societies in the world. It opines that the Chinese government policies have severely restricted basic freedoms in Tibet, such as the freedoms of expression, religion and movement. The UK government has highlighted human rights abuses in Tibet wherever and whenever possible, by issuing robust public statements, and is working multilaterally with like-minded countries (UKPC, 2017).
Japan: Japan’s lawmakers have passed a Diet resolution that highlighted the human rights situation in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Tibet and Inner Mongolia. The resolution called for the monitoring of serious human rights situations in cooperation with the international community. This step by Japan was to voice its concerns about the condition of Tibetans within China-occupied Tibet and Beijing’s horrendous human rights record. These actions by Japan have demonstrated its commitment to the Tibetan cause and China’s unlawful invasion of the Rooftop of the World (Lakshmi, 2022).
Importance of Tibet for India
Tibet holds strategic, cultural, and resource-based importance for India. It acts as a buffer zone between India and China, and is a source of major rivers flowing into India. Further, Tibet is culturally significant due to the spread of Buddhism and the presence of the HH Dalai Lama in India.
The control of Tibet by China has been a natter of security concerns for India, particularly with the ongoing and disproportionate development of Chinese military infrastructure there, and its potential impact on the Indo-China border disputes. It is also clear that China’s claims over parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh are linked to its control over Tibet.
Concerning the Cultural significance, Tibet is the centre of Tibetan Buddhism, which is also prevalent in regions like Ladakh, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh, making it culturally significant for India. HH The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and many refugee Tibetans reside in India, further solidifying the cultural connection.
With regards to the Resource importance, many major rivers that flow into India originate in Tibet, making it vital for India’s water resources, and Tibet also possesses various other natural resources, including rare earths, adding to the strategic significance of the region for India.
In essence, Tibet’s strategic location, cultural influence, and role as a source of water and other resources make it a critical region for India, both in terms of national security and cultural heritage.
India’s Stand on Tibet
India’s view on Tibet would be clear from the statement of India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. Jayshankar, which stated that India’s Panchsheel agreement with China was an example of past government action, which was very difficult to understand in today’s context (TR, 2024).
However, India’s comprehensive stand on Tibet remains complex, balancing strategic interests with historical and cultural ties. Officially, India has recognised Tibet as part of China, under the Panchsheel agreement mentioned above. But India has also historically provided refuge to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan people and maintained a nuanced approach to the Tibetan issue, including symbolic gestures and engagements with the Tibetan government in exile.
Undoubtedly, India’s Tibet policy is influenced by its relationship with China, including border disputes and the need for stable relations. This often leads to a delicate balancing act between maintaining good relations with China and acknowledging the Tibetan cause. Thus, India is constrained in officially recognising the Tibetan Government in Exile, though it is an important mechanism for the Tibetan people. But with changing geo-political situation, discussions have started about the need for a more holistic and proactive approach towards Tibet, particularly as border tensions with China continue to persist, because of its off and on nefarious activities in the border regions.
India’s Stand on the Dalai Lama
India holds HH Dalai Lama in great reverence and supports the view that HH Dalai Lama has the sole right to select his successor. India unambiguously endorsed the existing Tibetan spiritual leader, HH Dalai Lama’s move to rule out any role for China, in selecting his reincarnation. India’s Central Minister Mr. Kiran Rijiju commented on the subject on 03 Jul, a day after the 14th Dalai Lama entrusted the full responsibility of selecting his reincarnation to a trust based in India. His categoric statement stated that “All those who follow the Dalai Lama feel that the incarnation is to be decided by the established convention and as per the wish of the Dalai Lama himself, and nobody else has the right to decide it except him and the conventions in place”, much to the discomfort of China (CTA, 2025). The statement endorsed India’s support for Tibet’s cause, clearly indicating India’s opposition to China’s interference in Tibet and its nefarious designs. It was intended to counter Beijing’s bid to influence the process of selecting the 15th Dalai Lama, and use him to fizzle out the global movement against China’s occupation of Tibet.
As expected, the Chinese Embassy in India, on 06 Jul 2025, said that the Dalai Lama has no authority to decide whether the Tibetan reincarnation system will continue. China insists it alone can approve the next Dalai Lama, rejecting any choice made without its consent (ET, 2025). That showed China’s nefarious design to control Tibet, Tibetans and their traditions for its selfish reasons. India surely needs to take a serious note of China’s hard stance on Tibet. and be prepared to effectively counter it, in the interest of its security.
Conclusion
Tibet’s location on the Himalayan border with India makes it strategically vital for China. It also provides a natural barrier between China and India. Tibet is also rich in natural resources, including water and minerals, which are crucial for China’s security and economy.
China’s historical game plan in Tibet has always centred around asserting control and integrating the region into China. The plan has been driven by strategic and resource-related motivations. That plan has further involved military actions, political manoeuvring, and infrastructure development to solidify China’s presence and counter so-called Tibetan separatist movements.
Accordingly, China has invested heavily in infrastructure to facilitate resource extraction, transportation, and the influx of Han Chinese workers in Tibet, altering the demographic balance. China has also sought to integrate Tibet politically by establishing its rule, dissolving the Tibetan government, and trying to make Tibet an integral part of China. China has also been interfering in the religious matters of Tibet by trying to control the selection of the Dalai Lam’s successor. China’s actions in Tibet have been partly aimed at suppressing any move by Tibetans for self-determination or challenges to Chinese sovereignty, indicating its strong resolve to control Tibet with a firm hand.
Despite China’s control, tensions and resistance from Tibetans persist, with protests and uprisings occurring periodically. Suppression of Tibet and Tibetans has also drawn attention from Western and other countries, who have strongly condemned China’s oppressive actions and supported Tibetans’ right to self-determination.
For India, Tibet is an important region for its safety, security, and economic well-being. HH Dalai Lama and many Tibetans reside in India. India respects and nurtures its historical Buddhist and Cultural bonds with Tibetans. India, thus, strongly supports the autonomy of the Tibet region, Tibetans’ right for self-determination and HH Dalai Lama’s sole right to choose his successor, much to the chagrin of China.
The global community needs to be well aware of China’s nefarious designs for Tibet and its implications for India. The world, especially the USA, must remember that a strong India is important for security and stability in the region, and must support both India’s and Tibet’s endeavours. The world will do well in understanding the words of HH Dalai Lama, in letter and spirit, when he said: “The Chinese government wants me to say that for many centuries Tibet has been part of China. Even if I make that statement, many people would just laugh. And my statement will not change history. History is history” (Creatosaurus, ND).
Title image courtesy: Reuters
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of India and Defence Research and Studies
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