The Dalai Lama turned 90 on Sunday surrounded by thousands of followers, who thronged the Himalayan town of Dharamshala, where the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has been living in exile since fleeing Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959.

The 14th Dalai Lama, the head of Tibetan Buddhism, marked his 90th birthday Sunday with a celebration attended by thousands in the city of Dharamshala in India. The event included politically charged remarks subtly referencing China from U.

China has lodged a protest with India following Prime Minister Modi's birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama and the presence of Indian officials at the celebrations. Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a separatist seeking to divide Tibet and urges India to respect its sensitivities on Tibet-related issues.