New Delhi, July 7 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined leaders of the US and Taiwan on Sunday in greeting the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday, which was marked by a grand celebration in Dharamshala attended by Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh. The celebration capped a week of events during which the Dalai Lama announced the institution of the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism would continue after his death and that a trust founded by him alone can recognise his reincarnation. The remarks riled China, which said it would approve the reincarnation. Beijing also urged New Delhi to act cautiously and not to interfere in China's internal matters. "I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. He has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline," Modi said in a message on social media that was read at the celebration in Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama has lived since he fled Tibet in 1959 to escape a Chinese military crackdown. "His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life," Modi added. Experts viewed the message as significant in light of the developments of the past week, when a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said India should "exercise caution" in its actions and stop interfering in China's internal affairs with Tibet-related issues to avoid impacting the improvement of bilateral ties. India is currently engaged in normalising relations with China after the four-year military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that ended last October. Rijiju, a practising Buddhist who backed the Dalai Lama's stance on his reincarnation but subsequently clarified he had made the remarks in a personal capacity, sat beside the Dalai Lama during the celebration. The event was also attended by Union minister Singh, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, the sikyong or head of the Tibetan government-in-exile Penpa Tsering, and Hollywood star Richard Gere. Describing the Dalai Lama as India's "most honored guest", Rijiju said: "We feel blessed for his presence here in our country. We will follow the directions and the guidelines to be issued from the institution of the Dalai Lama." US secretary of state Marco Rubio said in a message that the Dalai Lama inspires people with a message of unity, peace and compassion. "The US remains firmly committed to promoting respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Tibetans. We support efforts to preserve Tibetans' distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, including their ability to freely choose and venerate religious leaders without interference," Rubio said. In a speech, the Dalai Lama said he had dedicated his life towards seeking compassion. "I'm now 90 and.when I reflect on my life, I see that I have not wasted my life at all," he said. "I would not have regrets at the time of my death, rather I would be able to die very peacefully." Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the president of the Central Tibetan Administration, released a statement by the Kashag, the cabinet of the Tibetan government-in-exile, and announced a "Year of Compassion" to be observed by Tibetans and "friends of Tibet" globally. "While the Chinese government continues to forcibly prohibit our Tibetan brethren in Tibet from engaging in even the basic religious activities, such as incense offering and hoisting prayer flags in honour of their root guru's birthday, the sacred bond between teacher and disciple that is sanctified within each bead of Tibetan prayer rosary and each syllable of the six-syllable mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum) cannot be suppressed by tyrannical power. May the day when we Tibetans in Tibet and in exile could freely and jointly celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday soon arise," the statement added....