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Tibetan Leader Meets US Lawmakers on Dalai Lama Succession, China Claims

Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile met with US Congress members to advocate for international support. He presented a book based on imperial records to counter China's historical claims over Tibet. The discussions focused on legislative initiatives and the sensitive issue of the Dalai Lama's future succession. US lawmakers affirmed the ongoing relevance of the Tibetan cause and supported the community's right to determine its religious leadership.

Key Points: Tibetan Exile Leader Discusses Dalai Lama Succession with US Congress

  • Challenged China's historical claims
  • Discussed Dalai Lama succession
  • Presented scholarly book to lawmakers
  • Briefed on Prague Declaration
  • Advocated for Tibetan autonomy
2 min read

Sikyong Penpa Tsering meets US lawmakers at Capitol Hill to discuss Dalai Lama's succession

Sikyong Penpa Tsering meets US representatives, presents research challenging China's Tibet claims and discusses the Dalai Lama's successor.

"the Tibetan issue remains relevant and is not merely a matter of the past - US Lawmakers"

Washington DC, February 3

Penpa Tsering, the current Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration, also known as the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, continued his advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, holding meetings with senior members of the US House of Representatives to advance international support for Tibet, reported CTA.

The CTA said the Sikyong, accompanied by staff of the Office of Tibet in Washington, DC, and the International Campaign for Tibet, met with Congressman Jim McGovern, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw, and Congressman Joe Wilson.

During the meetings, the Central Tibetan Administration reported, Sikyong Penpa Tsering underscored the importance of credible scholarly research in challenging China's historical claims over Tibet. He highlighted Professor Hon-Shiang Lau's book, based on imperial Chinese records, which demonstrates that Tibet has never been part of China since antiquity.

According to the CTA, copies of the book were presented to each lawmaker. The Sikyong noted that while the English edition was released last week, the Chinese edition has not been released by China.

The discussions also covered ongoing legislative initiatives and issues related to the Dalai Lama's succession, the CTA said. Lawmakers were briefed on the recent Prague Declaration adopted by the Article 18 Alliance, which reaffirms freedom of religion or belief and supports the Tibetan Buddhist community's right to determine the Dalai Lama's successor without state interference.

Members of Congress expressed their support and emphasised that the Tibetan issue remains relevant and is not merely a matter of the past, the Central Tibetan Administration added.

In addition to his Capitol Hill engagements, the CTA noted that Sikyong Penpa Tsering will participate as a plenary speaker at the International Religious Freedom Summit and will speak on Tibetan democracy in exile and religious freedom at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council on 3 February 2026.

The Tibet issue concerns Tibetans' struggle to preserve their cultural, religious, and political identity following China's control of Tibet since 1950. The Central Tibetan Administration advocates genuine autonomy, protection of human rights, religious freedom, and the right of Tibetans to determine their future peacefully.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The cultural and religious identity of Tibetans is important, and the right to determine spiritual succession without state control is a principle many Indians can understand. However, meetings on foreign soil about the internal matters of a neighboring country make diplomacy very tricky for us.
R
Rohit P
Honestly, why are US lawmakers getting involved in this? It just heats up tensions in our neighborhood. We have enough to manage with China on the LAC. External powers should encourage direct dialogue, not stage these symbolic meetings that achieve little.
S
Sarah B
As someone living in India, I appreciate the discussion on religious freedom. The Dalai Lama is a revered figure here. The principle that a religious community should choose its next leader is universal. But the political dimensions are incredibly complex for India-China relations.
V
Vikram M
The historical research angle is interesting. If imperial Chinese records themselves show Tibet was not part of China, that's a powerful point. But in geopolitics, history is often rewritten by the powerful. India must navigate this with extreme caution and strategic clarity.
K
Karthik V
While I sympathize with the Tibetan cause, I have a respectful criticism of this approach. Constantly lobbying foreign governments can sometimes backfire, making a negotiated solution harder. Perhaps more quiet diplomacy and confidence-building is needed rather than public advocacy in Washington.
A

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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