Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of a congressional delegation visited the Dalai Lama Temple on Wednesday to meet with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama’s disciples were present on the temple grounds during the visit.
Republican Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul led a bipartisan delegation from the US, which was received by officials from the Central Tibetan Administration on arrival at Kangra airport in Himachal Pradesh.
Ahead of the meeting between the US delegation and the Dalai Lama, Dolma Tsering Teykhan, vice-chairman of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, said the visit of US lawmakers was a show of solidarity with Tibet.
Teykan stressed that the delegation’s attendance demonstrates their understanding of Tibetan culture and their commitment to human rights. He underlined the importance of the upcoming official meeting, saying it sends a strong message of support for the Tibetan cause and the broader pursuit of human rights and freedom.
Regarding Chinese policies under the Xi Jinping administration, Teykan noted that the delegation’s visit sends an important message to those affected by Chinese intimidation and expansionism, emphasizing that the visit is a symbolic stance against such practices.
Dolma Tsering Teykhan criticised China’s authoritarian policies and said Beijing reacts negatively to anyone who supports Tibet.
She clarified that the intention of US representatives and senators who visited Tibet was not to provoke or embarrass China but rather to show solidarity with the Tibetan cause. Teykan asserted that support would be extended if the truth prevailed and China rectified its policies regarding Tibet.
Earlier this week, the US Congress passed a bill calling on Beijing to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders to peacefully resolve differences over the status and governance of Tibet. Radio Free Asia reports that the legislation, known as the “Tibet Issue Resolution Act” or the “Tibet-China Dispute Resolution Promotion Act,” has been approved by the US House of Representatives and is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature to become law.
The bill denies China’s historical claim that Tibet has always been part of Chinese territory and calls on Beijing to stop spreading false information about Tibetan history, people and institutions, including that related to the Dalai Lama.
The Tibet Issue Resolution Act, recently passed by Congress and awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature, calls on Beijing to begin discussions with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders on governance of Tibet. No formal talks between the two sides have taken place since 2010.
After arriving in Dharamsala, former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m so excited to be here.” In particular, Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022 has caused tension in US-China relations.
Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul confirmed that President Biden intends to sign the Tibet Resolution Act. Chairman McCaul stressed the importance of the bill in encouraging Beijing to engage in peaceful dialogue with Tibetan leaders to resolve governance issues with China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian expressed serious concerns about the US delegation’s visit to Dharamsala at a recent press conference, urging the US not to recognise the Dalai Lama’s group as separatist and send a misleading message to the international community.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed serious concern over the reported visit of a US delegation to a Tibetan facility in Dharamsala, saying the Dalai Lama is conducting anti-China separatist activities under the guise of religion. China urges the US to recognize this nature, abide by its commitments regarding Tibet, avoid contact with the Dalai Lama, and not send misleading signals to the world.
Image Source: ANI
