'Separatist' Dalai Lama fled Tibet after 'failed armed rebellion': China

In 1409, Tsongkhapa, a monk from Quinhai established a new Buddhist sect called the Gelugpa or the Yellow Hat.

It became popular with the support of a Mongol king.

Tsongkhapa's principle disciple, a monk by the name of Gedun Drupa, was given the responsibility to spread the teachings of the sect over Tibet, becoming the first of those known as the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama isn't chosen, he is found.

The search, conducted in Tibet, involves watching the smoke of the last cremated Dalai Lama, visions in the Lhamo La-Tso and traditionally, is the responsibilty of the High Lamas.

Once a boy is found, he is tested according to rules; after confirmation, he is taken to Lhasa to begin preparations to become the next spiritual leader.

China and the Dalai Lama are at loggerheads on who's responsible for selecting the next Dalai Lama.

China asserts its position and authority, historically, as the selector, having created the title for the 5th Dalai Lama back in 1653.

The latter claims it as his natural responsibility and wants to confer with Tibetan exiles and Tibetans inside China as part of the selection process.

China has conveyed to India that bilateral ties would be severely damaged if India allows Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to go ahead with a visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

China's foreign ministry said it was "gravely concerned" over reports that the Dalai Lama could visit Arunachal soon.

China clarified that Arunachal was a "disputed area" and the Dalai Lama was a "separatist."

The Dalai Lama's move to visit Assam's Guwahati during the Namami Brahmaputra festival on April 2 could elicit an angry response from China, which has already warned of strained ties due to his planned Arunachal visit next month.

Security has been increased in the state for fear of terrorist attacks by the Ulfa-I led by Paresh Barua, currently being hosted by Beijing.

China has asserted that India is committing a major mistake by allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang warned that "This will have serious damage on bilateral relations." He said "we have expressed our concerns to the Indian side."

Meanwhile, China is continuing to develop CPEC infrastructure inside PoK, despite Indian objections.

Rejecting the Dalai Lama's stand that he escaped Tibet due to Chinese military action, Beijing said he fled after a "failed armed rebellion".

The "anti- China separatist" left after "the reactionary group of high-ranking feudal serf-owners in Tibet in March 1959", the Chinese Foreign Ministry told PTI.

China is also "resolutely opposed to any country's support for the 14th Dalai group's anti-China activities".