Shimla, June 29 -- "Whether the Dalai Lama chooses reincarnation or emanation that decision lies with him," said French scholar and expert on Tibetan affairs, Claude Arpi.

Arpi, was speaking at a seminar titled 'Interwoven Roots: Shared Indo-Tibetan Heritage' at the headquarters of the Army Training Command in Shimla on Saturday.

Arpi's statement comes ahead of the 90th birthday of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, who is expected to issue a significant statement on the crucial issue of his reincarnation.

The 90th birthday celebrations of the Dalai Lama are scheduled for early July and from July 2 to 4, a three-day conference of Buddhist scholars, senior monks, will be held in Dharmshala. The conference is expected ...