Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, currently on an India visit with a congressional delegation, met with the Dalai Lama at his residence in McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. During the meeting, Pelosi expressed her views on the resolution of the Tibet dispute and emphasized the US’s commitment to supporting Tibetan rights. She stated that President Joe Biden will soon sign a bill that aims to exert pressure on China to address the Tibet issue.
Pelosi, who had previously visited Tibet with the delegation, highlighted China’s attempts to suppress Tibetan culture by reducing the use of the Tibetan language. She recounted a past conversation with the President of China during a visit to Washington, DC, where she expressed her concerns regarding China’s actions in Tibet. The President responded by suggesting she visit Tibet herself to witness the improvements China was making. Pelosi, who had been attempting to secure a visa to Tibet for 25 years, countered by saying she had been trying to get a visa to see for herself.
She further emphasized, “…They are trying to erase the culture by reducing the use of the language. They are trying something that we cannot let them get away with. I’ll be gracious to the Chinese people, I don’t know that they’re up to this, but we do know that the Chinese government is, and we do know that they must get the message. This legislation sends the message, the House and the Senate and soon to be signed by Joe Biden, the president of the United States..,”
The new bill, known as the Resolve Tibet Act, calls on China to resume talks with Tibetan leaders to peacefully resolve the governance disagreement. It also urges China to address the Tibetan people’s desires concerning their historical, cultural, religious, and language identity. The US delegation, led by Nancy Pelosi, arrived in Dharamshala on Tuesday. The delegation includes Rep Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Speaker Emerita, Rep Gregory Meeks, Rep Nicole Malliotakis, Rep Jim McGovern, and Rep Ami Bera.
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, fled to India in 1959 after an unsuccessful rebellion against Chinese control in Tibet. He has been living in exile in India ever since, advocating for Tibetan autonomy and cultural preservation.
