Hold talks with Dalai Lama, U.S. lawmakers tell China

Days after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Resolve Tibet Act that called upon the Chinese government to engage with the Dalai Lama, an influential group of U.S. lawmakers met the Tibetan spiritual leader in Dharamshala on Wednesday. Addressing a rare public meeting, they stated that the United States will not allow Beijing to interfere in the “succession” of the Dalai Lama.

The delegation, led by the Republican chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul, expressed a firm U.S. position on Tibet and described China’s claim of having ancient links with Tibet as ‘ridiculous

The U.S. lawmakers, who addressed a public meeting on Tibet in Dharamshala, attended a dinner with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on June 19, 2024. Photo: Special Arrangement

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“Our support for the Tibetan people is unwavering. Your dreams for better days remain alive. Beijing is relocating entire communities under the guise of development activities. We know they are trying to control Tibetan Buddhism. It is time for Beijing to engage in unconditional dialogue with His Holiness,” Representative Gregory Meeks said, addressing the public gathering in McLeodganj, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration.

‘Private visit’

An official source said the U.S. lawmakers are on a “private visit” and declined to address the remarks made by them.

China on Tuesday had said that it will take steps to safeguard its sovereignty. “China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin Jian said on Tuesday.

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Speaking at the beginning of the event, Mr. McCaul recollected the circumstances that surrounded the exile of the Dalai Lama in 1959 and how he led 80,000 followers across the Himalayas into India to safeguard the unique Tibetan culture and way of life. The visit by the U.S. delegation comes days before the 89th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama, at a time of speculation about the future of the institution of the Dalai Lama, which has held the Tibetan diaspora together since the late 1950s.

“Decades later, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to threaten the freedom of the Tibetan people. They have even attempted to insert themselves into the succession of the Dalai Lama. We will not let that happen,” said Mr. McCaul, directly addressing the issue of the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

Mr. McCaul, the U.S. Representative from Texas, also had an hour-long interaction with the Dalai Lama, and generously praised the elderly spiritual figure, lauding his commitment to non-violent methods to advance the cause of Tibetans.

‘Chinese propaganda’

The text of the Resolve Tibet Act, which has been passed by both Houses of the U.S. Congress, has several references to ‘self-determination’ in the context of the future of the Tibetan people, and this was reflected in the statements of the visiting delegates. “This Bill makes it clear that the U.S. believes that Tibet has its own unique language, religion, and culture. It has a right to self-determination,” said Mr. McCaul.

Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi upon her arrival at the Kangra Airport, in Dharamshala on June 18, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

Mr. Meeks also criticised the Chinese position on Tibet and described China’s claims to the region as “propaganda”.

U.S. Representative Jim McGovern, a Democrat and one of the major supporters of the Tibetan cause in the U.S. Congress, made a forceful speech on the future of Tibet, saying that the U.S. government would never “waiver” in its support to Tibet. The presence of the U.S. lawmakers in Dharamshala was also a “sign” to Beijing  that the U.S. leadership will ensure the “basic rights of the Tibetan people under international law”, he said.

‘False information’

Mr. McGovern insisted that he supported peace with China, but argued that the “human rights of every person on this planet have to be respected”. He highlighted the Resolve Tibet Act which aims to deal with “false information”, explaining that it also covers China’s official position on Tibet.

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“Just last week, as you have heard, Congress passed a major bipartisan bill authored by myself and Chairman McCaul and supported by every single member of our delegation,” Mr. McGovern said. It was to reaffirm America’s support to Tibetans’ self determiination and to require the U.S. State Department to counter false information about Tibet. False information like the [People’s Republic of China] PRC claims [that] Tibet has been part of China since ancient times. That is ridiculous. China will never succeed in erasing Tibetan culture,” he added.

Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also sent a strong message to the Chinese leaders and said the Dalai Lama’s contribution will endure for a long time.