The clash is a long time in the making with the Dalai Lama insisting the Chinese government will have absolutely no say in the selection.

When India is maintaining an arms-length on the issue of Dalai Lama's reincarnation, 'Core Group for Tibetan Cause', headed by ex-Arunachal MP RK Khrimey, has backed the Tibetan spiritual leader, and sought immediate resumption of talks on the pending Tibetan issue and return of the Dalai Lama.

On his 90th birthday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama reaffirmed that the Dalai Lama institution will continue, despite increasing anxiety from China. Beijing insists that the reincarnation process is an ‘internal matter’ and treats it as a highly sensitive issue.