Indian PM Modi makes rare call to congratulate Dalai Lama on his 86th birthday

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today let the world know that he has called Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to congratulate him on his 86th birthday, ignoring any possible opposition from China.

Reuters reported that the Dalai Lama has been in exile in northern India for more than 60 years and that Beijing authorities view him as a dangerous “separatist” or separatist and have expressed displeasure with any dealings with him.

Indian leaders are usually cautious about this, avoiding public contact to annoy Beijing authorities, but at a time when India-China relations are at a low point, Modi tweeted that he had personally expressed his best wishes.

Modi said, “Have spoken to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to congratulate him on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life.”