Published: Jul 10, 2026, 14:27 IST | Updated: Jul 10, 2026, 14:27 IST
The battle over the next Dalai Lama has already begun. As the 14th Dalai Lama grows older, Beijing insists it has the authority to approve his successor, while the Tibetan exile community says only the Dalai Lama and his trust can decide the reincarnation. This isn't just a religious dispute, it's a geopolitical contest over Tibet's identity, culture, and future.