The Tibet issue was back on the global agenda as US lawmakers met with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, on Wednesday.
The US congressional delegation, led by Chairman of the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Michael McCaul, also met with the Tibetan government-in-exile.
China has been unhappy with the US show of solidarity with the Tibetan people, but the visit comes ahead of US President Joe Biden’s imminent signing of the Tibet Issue Resolution Act to resolve the Tibet conflict.
Dialogue to resolve the Tibet issue has been stalled since 2010, and the law puts pressure on China to negotiate with Tibetan authorities to resolve the issue.
The United States supports the right of the Tibetan community to practice their religion and culture and has accused China of human rights violations.
The Dalai Lama seeks a middle path for Tibetan autonomy rather than freedom for Tibet.
“As soon as you wake up, remember the teachings of the Buddha, which primarily teaches altruism. And think about the world as a whole. We are all the same human beings. We all have the same rights and this world belongs to humanity. Regardless of religion or tradition, we should care for this world. People all over the world should be in peace and happiness. That is our goal,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 88, a rallying point for the Tibetan cause, said during an interaction with a high-level delegation to the US Congress.
The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in McLeodganj, Dharamsala, since fleeing to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet.
McCaul said the United States seeks to make progress on resolving the Tibet issue.
“I still hope that one day the Dalai Lama and his people will return to Tibet in peace,” he said.
Former House Speaker and top Democrat Nancy Pelosi visited Dharamsala in 2008 and criticized China, saying, “The Dalai Lama will live long and his legacy will live on forever because of his knowledge, his traditions, his compassion, his message of purity of soul and love. But you, the president of China, will be gone and no one will take credit for your achievements.”
Meanwhile, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) expressed gratitude to the delegation.
“The Tibet Issue Resolution Bill is very important to us and we worked very hard to get it passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate,” said Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the CTA.
He also acknowledged the contribution of Hollywood actors who have worked hard to strengthen efforts on the Tibetan issue.
