India, July 13 -- The Chinese Embassy to India on Sunday sent a strong message to New Delhi ahead of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Beijing and said the succession issue of the Dalai Lama remains a 'thorn' in the relationship between the two neighbours.

Jaishankar is visiting China for the first time since soldiers from the two nations were engaged in a border clash in 2020.

China has expressed its anger over Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's recent remarks on his 90th birthday on July 9, when he said only a trust set up by him can recognise his reincarnation.

Indian Minister Kiren Rijiju had endorsed his statement.

Beijing, however, said the next Dalai Lama would be endorsed by China.

In a strong message sent ...