Itanagar, July 10 -- Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has stated that the next Dalai Lama will be born in a free and democratic country, not in China.

Speaking to the media on July 8, Khandu expressed hope that the 14th Dalai Lama would live for many more years and said there was no need for speculation on the next reincarnation at this time.

Khandu, a follower of the Dalai Lama and a practicing Buddhist, said the selection process for the next Dalai Lama will begin only after the passing of the current spiritual leader.

"There is a set procedure for identifying the next Dalai Lama. All rules are already in place, and the process will be followed as it has been historically," he said.

Quoting the Dalai Lama's own words, Kh...