US is Ready to Stand With Tibet and Its People

I went to Dharamsala to participate in a special prayer for the "Long Life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama." The former staff of the Central Tibetan Administration organized this event for the spiritual leader of Tibet.

While I was still in India, a very impressive and important delegation of United States friends came to Dharamsala, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama resides today. Leading this delegation was Republican Representative Michael McCaul, along with prominent Democrat, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

This high-profile seven-member delegation made me feel that some images are powerful and others even more so. Take the case of this US Congressional delegation meeting His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharmsala on June 19, 2024.

However, even more critical politically was the picture of the same US congressional delegation meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Of course, the icing on the cake was Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that President Joe Biden is likely to sign the Tibet Resolve Act very soon. Doing so would show America's support for Tibet and the Tibetan people.

In all, it is a heady combination of politics and spirituality that sends strong signals to the so-called People's Republic of China. It also shows that India is beginning to realize the importance of showing support for the Tibetan people.

*Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, arrives at his hotel in New York City, US, June 23, 2024. (©REUTERS/Jeenah Moon)*

Resolve Tibet Act

On June 12, the US Congress passed a resolution to enhance the Tibet-China Dispute Act, better known as the Resolve Tibet Act. Congress's bipartisan legislation now awaits signing from President Joe Biden, following which it will be ratified into law.

Following the Tibetan Policy Act or TPA (2002) and the Tibetan Policy & Support Act or the TPSA (2020), this is the third legislation that the US has taken regarding Tibet. Washington has long supported the Tibetan cause, and the latest bill is another step in the effort.

The Resolve Tibet Act underlines the need for such talks to be pursued without "preconditions" on the terms to seek a settlement that resolves differences. It also states that the succession of the Dalai Lama was not of China's concern and would best be left to Tibetan Buddhists. (Of course, we Tibetans believe His Holiness will live for decades to come).

Former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Michael McCaul, the US Republican chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, take part in a function at the Dalai Lama's temple after meeting with him in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India, June 19, 2024. (©REUTERS/Charlotte Greenfield)

Dharamsala Delegation

This is precisely why the delegation's recent visit to Dharamsala to meet His Holiness at his temporary phodrang (palace, residence) angered China. Beijing views His Holiness, the beloved peace-loving Spiritual Tibetan leader, as a dangerous separatist. (His Holiness has handed over His Temporal power to the directly elected Sikyong)

According to a local paper, "The high-level delegation, led by Republican Representative Michael McCaul and including Democratic former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, arrived Tuesday at the hillside town, which the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has made his headquarters since fleeing from Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. There, they met with officials from the Tibetan government-in-exile, which wants more autonomy for Tibet."

They said that a key focus of their visit was to underscore the Resolve Tibet Act. The Act aims to encourage dialogue between His Holiness and Chinese officials to find a peaceful resolution between Tibet and Beijing. The Bill should now be sent to the White House for President Biden to sign into law.

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, speaks with former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during their meeting at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India, June 19, 2024. (©Tenzin Choejor/Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama/Handout via REUTERS)

A Strong Message

Nancy Pelosi said the bill is "a message to the Chinese government that we have clarity in our thinking and our understanding of this issue of the freedom of Tibet."

Representative McCaul said it reaffirmed American support for the Tibetan right to self-determination. "Just this week, our delegation received a letter from the Chinese Communist Party, warning us not to come here…but we did not let the CCP intimidate us, for we are here today," he said as people cheered.

Apart from Representative McCaul, the delegation consisted of six prominent US congressional members: former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mariannette Miller, Gregory Meeks, Nicole Malliotakis, Jim McGovern, and Ami Bera.

Indeed, the timing and sequence of the visit is interesting. The US delegation chose first to visit Dharamsala, meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and then come down to New Delhi, where they called on the Prime Minister of India.

While the meeting was likely a bipartisan message showing US support for India and its new government, the underlying message could not have been stronger. After all, Prime Minister Modi chose to meet the delegation soon after they met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

*Crowds wait outside a hotel where Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, will stay in New York City, US, June 23, 2024. (©REUTERS/Jeenah Moon)*

Support From India

An official Government of India release stated, "The delegation members congratulated the Prime Minister on his election for a historic third consecutive term. They expressed deep appreciation for the scale, fairness, and transparency of the recently concluded world's largest democratic electoral exercise in India."

Prime Minister Modi posted a photo on X along with the message, "Had a very good exchange of views with friends from the US Congress in a delegation led by Representative McCaul, Chairman of House Foreign GOP. Deeply value the strong bipartisan support in advancing India- US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership."

Later, the delegation met India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that "Dalai Lama is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. His Holiness is accorded due courtesies and freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities."

Historical Allies, Modern Partnerships

Tibetans are always grateful to the people and government of India for their help and support. India stood by Tibet in the hardest and darkest days of its more than 2,150 years of history. We understand India's delicate situation. Tibetans can not only read India's lips but also the hearts of Indian leaders and its great people.

Prime Minister Modi's meeting with the US delegation and tweeting about it was hugely significant. While in India, the delegation had an audience with His Holiness and interacted with Sikyong Penpa Tsering (the prime minister of the government in exile ) and his team of leaders. Modi announcing this via X was a direct endorsement, if not an indication and acknowledgment of what was going on. Moreover, it was a brave symbolic gesture of support. Actions speak louder than words.

Now, while His Holiness is in the US for knee surgery, the next step would be for President Biden to meet His Holiness. A meeting between the two would send a clearer signal to China that it can never accomplish its erasure of Tibetan Identity and culture. Such a meeting would shield the Dalai Lama's institution from external interference, especially from atheist Chinese Communists.

This is the clearest indication yet that India and the US are aligned on Tibet, which may also encourage Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. That is the long-term significance of the recent US Congressional visit to India and their meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Author: Professor Pema Gyalpo