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.

With the announcement of his reincarnation ahead of his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama made it clear that Tibetans will not bow to China. The Dalai Lama’s reincarnation is not just a matter of faith but it is a geopolitical contest that goes far beyond Tibet to the roots of the Communist China’s expansionism and the Dalai Lama is at the vanguard to challenge it.