Sikyong Penpa Tsering visits Kamrao settlement, emphasising Tibet-China conflict resolution

Dharamshala, April 22: the President of the Tibetan Government in Exile, Sikyong Penpa Tsering visited the Kamrao Tibetan settlement in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, where he was warmly welcomed by community members, led by the Tibetan Settlement Officer, as reported by the Central Tibet Administration (CTA).

He began his official engagements in the settlement with visits to important institutions and offices, including the Ga Kye Gu Monastery (Sa Ngor Tse Chen Samdrub Ling Monastery), the Local Tibetan Assembly auditorium, the Tibetan Primary Health Centre, and the Himalayan Tibetan Public School, according to the CTA report.

Sikyong emphasised the need for the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) to remain sustainable in the ongoing Tibetan struggle, underscoring the importance of a strong connection between the Tibetan people and the administration to achieve this goal. He also raised concerns about the declining populations in Tibetan settlements, which have led to a significant decrease in school and monastery enrollments, as highlighted in the CTA report.

To address this issue, Sikyong mentioned the 16th Kashag's initiatives to provide housing and land support to approximately 1,800 Tibetans who have recently entered exile and lack these resources, in order to revitalise the community, as noted in the CTA report.

"First and foremost, our main goal is to find a resolution to the Tibet-China conflict through negotiation. To this end, the 16th Kashag is dedicated to following the Middle Way Approach while firmly recognising the historical status of Tibet as an independent nation," Sikyong remarked. "It is also crucial for every Tibetan to understand this and to remain harmonious and united, despite varying views on Rangzen and Uma," he added, as quoted by the CTA.

Sikyong further discussed the Resolve Tibet Act, which maintains that the Tibet-China conflict is still an unresolved international issue. He also noted the assurance from the US Secretary of State regarding ongoing support for Tibet and its people, as reported by the CTA.

Reader Comments

T

Tenzing D.

So proud to see our Sikyong visiting settlements and connecting with the community! The Middle Way Approach is the most practical solution for our people. 🙏 #FreeTibet

L

Lhamo T.

The population decline in settlements is worrying. Glad to hear about housing initiatives for new refugees. We must preserve our culture and community wherever we are.

R

Rinchen K.

While I appreciate the efforts, I wonder if more could be done to engage younger Tibetans in the diaspora. Many of my friends feel disconnected from the political struggle.

D

Dorje P.

The US support mentioned is encouraging! International pressure is crucial for any meaningful dialogue with China. Hope other nations follow suit.

K

Kalsang S.

Visits like these make such a difference to remote settlements. The children at Himalayan Tibetan School must have been so excited! Education is key to keeping our identity alive.

P

Pema L.

Respectfully, I wish the article had included more direct quotes from settlement residents about their experiences. Their voices matter just as much as the official statements.

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