India, July 4 -- The external affairs ministry responded to the Dalai Lama's assertion that only a trust set up by him can recognise his successor by saying on Friday that the Indian government doesn't take any position on matters concerning religious practices.

The remarks by external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came two days after the 89-year-old spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism announced the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death, and laid out the process for choosing his successor.

The Dalai Lama's announcement had drawn an angry response from Beijing, which said the spiritual leader's reincarnation "must be approved" by the Chinese government.

Jaiswal responded to media queries regarding ...