Dharamshala: On the occasion of the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Alexandre Callegaro from the German Embassy in New Delhi met with Kalon Gyari Dolma to convey Germany’s greetings personally and express continued support for Tibetan religious freedom. His message echoed that of Thomas Rachel, Member of Parliament and the German Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief, who publicly extended his wishes and gratitude to His Holiness for his lifelong dedication to dialogue and the preservation of cultural and religious freedoms.

2/2 Everyone has the right to freedom of religion or belief. Tibetan Buddhists must be allowed to freely practice their faith and to recognize the next Dalai Lama via traditional methods and without interference. Pressure or intimidation attempts are unacceptable! @DalaiLama

— Religions- u. Weltanschauungsfreiheitsbeauftragter (@ReligionBund) July 6, 2025

Alexandre Callegaro’s visit reaffirmed this message and Germany’s firm stance on upholding the Tibetan people’s right to determine the succession of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama without external interference.

The visit was part of a broader delegation organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (Germany), led by Dr Carsten Klein and his team. The delegation also participated in the official birthday celebration of His Holiness in Dharamshala.

Additionally, Alexandre Callegaro highlighted the recent joint statement by European Human Rights Ambassadors on the succession of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The statement—endorsed by countries including Germany, France, the UK, Estonia, Iceland, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Sweden—reaffirmed that the freedom of religion includes the right to choose religious leaders without state interference. It declared support for the Tibetan Buddhist community’s right to identify His Holiness’s successor in accordance with their religious traditions.

Joint statement with European colleagues on the succession of the #DalaiLama. pic.twitter.com/N2mxqNJM3n

— Menschenrechtsbeauftragter Lars Castellucci (@DEonHumanRights) July 6, 2025

This collective diplomatic support sends a strong signal that the international community remains steadfast in defending religious freedom and the self-determination of the Tibetan people.

-Report filed by Department of Security, CTA