India and Tibet: Culture, Fraternity and Strategy

Analysis

By Anusreeta Dutta, Tenzing Dhamdul, Zahid Sultan 

India and Tibet, as civilizations, share a relationship that goes beyond the current territorial dispute between China and India. It is woven into a historical tapestry with strands of cultural interchange, spiritual kinship, and strategic importance. Although geopolitics, border disputes, and the reincarnation of the 14^th Dalai Lama frequently dominate the news these days, India-Tibet ties have deep historical roots that have shaped the identities and future of both regions. As the Himalayas emerge as one of the most contested regions in the world, revisiting this long history is vital, and understanding this historical depth is essential, especially in light of the recent incident in Tibet where Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang and Arc’teryx desecrated a sacred mountain in Gyanste, Tibet, bringing havoc to the already fragile eco-space.

The Spiritual Bridge

Buddhism is the source of India and Tibet’s oldest and most significant relationship. Vajrayana Buddhism was introduced to Tibet in the 8th century by Padmasambhava, who is regarded as Guru Rinpoche in Tibet. His teachings created a tradition that is still thriving today and changed Tibet’s spiritual identity. Alongside Padmasambhava, Shantarakshita - an Indian philosopher from Nalanda University, both invited by the Tibetan King Trisong Detsen, established Tibet’s first monastery at Samye. This became the cornerstone of instructions in Tibetan monasteries. Around the same time, Shantarakshita ordained the first Tibetan monks. That moment set the course for Tibetan Buddhism, which had a direct link to India.

However, the spiritual exchange was not just one way. As Tibet embraced Indian Buddhist texts, practices, and philosophies, it also preserved them. Many Sanskrit manuscripts were lost in India after its subsequent invasions, but survived in Tibetan translations, which later helped scholars restore India’s Buddhist legacy.

Cultural Currents Across the Himalayas  

The Indo-Tibetan connection was not limited to religion. Indian and Tibetan civilizations shared and adopted many elements, reflecting a unique synthesis of inspiration and independent innovation. The Tibetan script itself was inspired by the Indian Brahmi characters. Tibetan medicine was influenced by Ayurveda, among others, combining Indian healing traditions with local knowledge of herbs and the environment. Philosophical ideas such as ahimsa (non-violence), karma (actions and consequences), and punarjanma (rebirth) found resonance in Tibetan life.

Trade routes across the Himalayas acted as cultural corridors. Indian textiles, spices, and manuscripts moved northward, while Tibetan horses, salt, and herbs flowed into Indian markets. Over centuries, these exchanges created a sense of shared destiny between the two regions. These networks were more than commercial highways; they were arteries of dialogue that helped sustain a shared civilization of ethos across mountains and valleys. Over the decades, such exchanges fostered a sense of intertwinement of destinies between the people of India and Tibet.

Tibet as India’s Buffer

Over centuries, Tibet’s autonomous position served a strategic role, particularly for India. It acted as a natural buffer between India and China, keeping conflicts at bay. This changed dramatically in 1949, when the People’s Republic of China (PRC), led by the Communist Party of China, was established and eventually annexed Tibet. With the encroachment, India suddenly found itself sharing a direct border for the first time in history with its assertive dragon neighbour.

The consequences were immediate and long-lasting. The 1962 war, the Doklam incident, the violent clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020, and the continuing standoffs in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh are all tied to the new realities created after Tibet’s occupation. At present, China rejects the McMahon line, insists on calling Arunachal Pradesh Southern Tibet (Ch. Zangnan), and continues to expand its military infrastructure in the region. The critical query in this aspect is: Can the question of Tibet’s identity, autonomy, and independence be separated from the larger India-China rivalry, especially when it shares a deep connection with India?

Water and Hydro Power: A New Flashpoint

In recent years, Tibet’s importance to India has grown because of its rivers. The Brahmaputra, which originates as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, is a lifeline for India’s North-Eastern states and Bangladesh downstream. China officially announced a mega dam to be built on this river in Nyingtri (Ch. Nyinchi), near Arunachal Pradesh, which has caused deep unease in New Delhi. In the age of climate stress, this raises serious ecological, economic, and strategic concerns for India and raises the possibility of water being used as a weapon. The dam, which is billed as the biggest hydropower project in the world, may have a significant influence on China's river flow, which is vital to millions of people. India is concerned that water could be weaponized during wartime, despite Beijing’s insistence that the project is for clean energy.

The absence of a formal water sharing agreement between India and China over these transboundary rivers exacerbates the trust deficit, making the Brahmaputra a flashpoint in bilateral relations. For India, the Brahmaputra is not just a river but a question of ecological security, economic livelihood, and national resilience. The spectre of “water wars” adds another layer of complexity to an already complex relationship. 

India’s Tibet Policy reimagined

Historically, India’s Tibet policy has been cautiously shaped by pragmatic diplomacy. It continued to assist the Tibetan community living in exile while acknowledging Chinese control over Tibet. However, recent events—such as the conflict in Galwan, China's renaming of sites in Arunachal Pradesh, and its growing military presence—have brought attention to the shortcomings of this strategy. The fundamental query still stands: Should India, which continues to host the largest number of Tibetans outside Tibet and China, view it as a key element influencing the Himalayan frontier, or should it keep Tibet as a side issue? As a notable diplomat mentioned, Tibet is not among its highest priorities now when it comes to India-China relations.

A Durable Legacy

The Indo-Tibetan relationship serves as evidence that ties forged over generations cannot be severed by borders. From the monasteries in Samye in the 8th century to exile settlements throughout the Indian Subcontinent in the 20th century, the link has survived wars, occupations, and shifting politics.

As the Himalayas become a hotspot of contestation over the border, the river, and infrastructure, it must draw strength from the shared past. The Indo-Tibetan connection must provide New Delhi with a moral compass and a cultural foundation that no political map can erase.

Hydropower projects, military standoffs, diplomatic tensions, and the Dalai Lama (symbol of Tibet) may dominate the headlines. However, beneath these lies a deeper truth - the enduring story of two civilizations tied together across centuries. To avoid direct confrontation, India’s position can be strengthened by acknowledging historical autonomy, promoting cultural preservation, and engaging Tibetan voices. The future of the Himalayan area will not only be determined by the balance of power between India and China but also by the resilient Tibetan people’s identity and voice.

Disclaimer: This paper is the author’s individual scholastic contribution and does not necessarily reflect the organisation’s viewpoint.

Anusreeta Dutta is a columnist and climate researcher with prior experience in political research and ESG analysis.

Tenzing Dhamdul is a senior researcher at the Foundation for Non-violent Alternatives (FNVA), New Delhi.

Zahid Sultan is an Independent Researcher having a  PhD in Political Science.