His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the revered Tibetan Buddhist monk of unparalleled global stature, enters his 90th year—a life dedicated to peace, harmony, and universal goodwill. Since being anointed as the Dalai Lama at the age of two, he has remained a steadfast advocate of non-violence, his words and actions reflecting a profound moral clarity rarely witnessed in global leadership today.

When Chinese forces invaded Tibet in 1950, violently occupying the region and killing thousands of protesting Tibetans, the world watched in shock. Expressions of sympathy poured in, but they remained just that—mere words. The global conscience failed to translate this outrage into meaningful action.

Facing imminent threat to his life and to his followers, the Dalai Lama was forced to flee his homeland in 1959, seeking refuge in India. He was granted asylum by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who, despite extending hospitality, remained conspicuously silent on China’s aggression. Some dissenting voices were raised at the time—most notably by former Indian President Rajendra Prasad—but they were drowned out by the government’s quiet acquiescence.

India's cautious stance

In a further diplomatic retreat, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee later recognised Tibet as part of China—again ignoring voices within India urging support for Tibet’s right to self-determination. To this day, India has offered little more than refuge to His Holiness and his people. The spiritual leader continues to live in exile in Dharamshala, the de facto headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also maintained this cautious stance. In 2015, at a major global Buddhist conference held in Bodh Gaya—which he himself addressed—the Dalai Lama was not invited. Remarkably, the most venerated living Buddhist monk, residing just a few hundred kilometres away, learned about the event through media reports. Even more astonishing was the silence of international Buddhist delegates who failed to express concern at his exclusion.

Such omissions stem from an overwhelming desire not to antagonise China—the very nation responsible for Tibet’s occupation.

Global indifference

Equally puzzling is the position of Sri Lanka, a self-declared Buddhist nation. Despite its religious affinity, it has never officially invited the Dalai Lama. The leadership of the Buddhist establishment in Sri Lanka has remained silent, evidently wary of offending Beijing.

While the U.S. Senate recently passed a resolution in support of the Tibetan cause, it remains, so far, a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive one.

What stands out amidst this global indifference is the Dalai Lama’s unwavering grace. He harbours no ill will—not even towards China. In a world increasingly defined by conflict, coercion, and fractured diplomacy, the Dalai Lama remains an embodiment of moral strength and compassion, committed to the principles of non-violence and interfaith harmony.

His life and teachings offer hope that someday the world may move towards a more just and compassionate order. As he steps into his tenth decade, the global community must recognise his enduring moral stature. Peace-loving people everywhere will undoubtedly wish His Holiness a long and healthy life.

(The writer is the founder-director of Nandini Consultancy Centre, Chennai, and a commentator on current affairs. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached at nsvenkatchennai@gmail.com)