Dharamsala, June 8 (IANS) His Holiness the Dalai Lama underwent a successful left knee replacement surgery at Apollo Hospital in New Delhi on Monday, said a medical bulletin.

It recalled that in June 2024, His Holiness underwent a successful right knee replacement at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and made an excellent recovery.

“Following today’s procedure, His Holiness returned to his hospital room in stable condition. His recovery is progressing well, and he remains in good spirits,” his personal physicians Tsetan D. Sadutshang, Tamdin Tsewang, Tsering Lhadon, and Tenzin Tsundue said in a statement.

They added that the medical, nursing, and administrative teams at Apollo Hospital had been providing exceptional care, support, and attention, and expressed gratitude for their professionalism, dedication, and kindness.

After recovery, he is scheduled to visit Ladakh toward the end of June for an extended stay, his office said.

The 90-year-old Tibetan monk lives in exile in McLeodganj, a hill station in the suburbs of Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh. The spiritual leader, a symbol of Buddhism, loves travelling across the remote, mountainous Ladakh region bordering Tibet to give audiences to people of all faiths, often drawing criticism from China.

One of his aides told IANS that the Dalai Lama has been visiting Ladakh for over 50 years, as locals share a special bond with him based on their faith and kindness. His last visit was in July 2025.

His Holiness will also attend a public programme in honour of his 91st birthday on July 6, likely in Leh.

The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in March 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, advocates a “middle-way” approach, seeking greater autonomy for Tibet rather than outright independence.

Beijing regards him as a “separatist” and is sensitive to his meetings with international leaders, attendance at official functions, or visits at the invitation of the Indian government.

–IANS

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