Indian Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi, failed to send 85th birthday wishes to His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama despite a global outpouring of support. Many had hoped that Modi would signal a shift in policy towards China by sending congratulations but author, Brahma Chellaney, observed that “in early 2018, Modi, seeking to appease China, ended all official contact with the Dalai Lama. Alas, that policy remains, despite China’s aggression”.