McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama marked his 90th birthday on Sunday with prayers for peace and compassion at a celebratory ceremony held in his long-time residence in exile, as geopolitical tensions flared over who would determine his successor.

“I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations,” said the Dalai Lama in a recorded message to his followers. Yet, the mood in McLeod Ganj, home to the Tibetan government-in-exile, was one of reverence and festivity. Thousands of devotees gathered amid chants and the sound of cymbals, red-robed monks leading long-life prayers in the forested hilltop temples of Dharamshala.

The event came amid renewed political unease between India and China. Beijing has made it clear that it intends to have the final say on who will succeed the Dalai Lama, whose spiritual office it has long tried to control. Chinese officials reiterated that the process of reincarnation must be conducted using a “golden urn” — a practice imposed by China since the Qing dynasty and invoked to legitimise Beijing's selections.

However, the Dalai Lama, born Tenzin Gyatso and recognised by followers as the 14th reincarnation, stated firmly that his India-based office alone would decide the next spiritual leader of Tibet. "The spiritual lineage will continue after my death. My successor will be recognised exclusively by my office, with no interference," he said.

The tension over succession is not merely spiritual. It carries enormous geopolitical weight, particularly as China tightens its grip over Tibet, a region it annexed in 1950. Many Tibetans in exile fear that a Chinese-appointed successor will be used to dilute or replace the religious and cultural identity of their people.

In the midst of the celebrations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly extended his wishes, calling the Dalai Lama “an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline”. Modi added, “We pray for his continued good health and long life.” India’s support is seen as significant, especially as New Delhi has hosted the Dalai Lama since 1959, when he fled Tibet following a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

The United States also issued a statement backing the Dalai Lama. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington supported the rights of Tibetans “to freely choose and venerate their religious leaders without interference,” and stressed the importance of preserving Tibet’s cultural and religious heritage.

The Dalai Lama’s message to his followers remained focused on inner peace and universal compassion. “While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart,” he said. “Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place.”

Alongside the celebrations, the Dalai Lama confirmed he had received appeals from Buddhist communities across the Himalayas, Mongolia, Russia, and China urging the continuation of the spiritual institution after his passing.

Observers say the matter of his succession could lead to a future with rival Dalai Lamas — one chosen by the Chinese Communist Party and another by the Tibetan religious authorities in exile. Such a split could deeply affect the unity of the global Tibetan Buddhist community.

Meanwhile, internet watchdog NetBlocks reported disruptions in connectivity across Iran on the same day — a move some analysts speculated might be linked to China's broader digital influence, though there is no confirmation of such interference.

As the 90-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate beamed at followers and participated in the traditional rituals, his enduring global appeal was evident — even as the fight over his spiritual legacy intensified.