President Joe Biden has signed the Resolve Tibet Act, bolstering US support for Tibet and encouraging dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama. This move aims for a peaceful resolution of the Tibet-China dispute, despite China’s opposition and strong criticism of the Act. The legislation emphasizes the importance of preserving Tibetan culture and human rights, while reaffirming the US recognition of Tibet as part of China.
The Dalai Lama reassured his followers that he is recovering well from knee surgery and dismissed rumors about his health on his 89th birthday. He addressed concerns about his succession, stating he will clarify the process around his 90th birthday. The Dalai Lama continues to advocate for Tibetan autonomy, even as his health becomes a factor in the future leadership of Tibetan Buddhism.
Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, during her visit to India, met with the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh. She expressed her concerns over China’s efforts to erase Tibetan culture and stated that the US will soon pass a bill pressuring China to resolve the Tibet issue through talks with Tibetan leaders.
China has issued a stern warning to a US congressional delegation visiting India, urging them to refrain from meeting the Dalai Lama. The delegation, led by Michael McCaul, Chairman of the US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee, has arrived in Dharamshala, India, where the Dalai Lama resides. China considers the Dalai Lama a separatist and has repeatedly condemned any engagement with him.
The political head of Tibet’s government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, has revealed that informal discussions are taking place with China. However, he emphasized that there are no immediate prospects of significant progress. Formal talks between representatives of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government have been stalled since 2010 due to anti-China protests in Tibet and Beijing’s hardline approach. Tsering stressed that the current talks are exploratory and have no immediate expectations. Nevertheless, a senior Tibetan leader expressed hope that the informal discussions could lead to a broader dialogue to address the Tibetan situation. Tsering also appealed for increased support from India on the Tibetan issue, highlighting the growing influence of India in world affairs.
