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US lawmakers meet Dalai Lama, reaffirm US commitment to Tibet
Nancy Pelosi, former house speaker, spoke of the significance of the recently passed Tibet Act in Dharamsala.
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The Congressional delegation at Dalai Lama's residence in Dharamsala India on June 19 / Pelosi.gov
A delegation of U.S. lawmakers, led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, met exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lam in the north Indian town of Dharamsala on June 19.
The delegation that includes former House speaker Nancy Pelosi informed the leader of the passage of the Resolve Tibet Act, which calls on China to re-engage with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders to peacefully resolve their dispute over Tibet's status and governance.
Speaking at the event, Pelosi said, “This bill is a message to the Chinese government that we all have clarity in our thinking and our understanding of this issue of the freedom of Tibet.”
“They are trying to erase the culture with reduced use of the language. They are trying something that we cannot let them get away with. Now in the spirit of His Holiness, I'll be gracious to the Chinese people, I don't know that they're up to this. But we do know that the Chinese government is, and we do know that they must get the message and this legislation sends the message,” Pelosi asserted.
“The Dalai Lama, with his message of knowledge, and tradition and compassion and purity of soul and love, he will live a long time, and his legacy will live forever. But to you, President of China, you'll be gone, and nobody will give you credit for anything,” Pelosi added remarking that the Dalai Lama would ask her to refrain from making these statements.
HHDL holding a copy of The Resolve Tibet Act, a bipartisan bill to enhance US support for Tibet and promote dialogue between the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama toward a peaceful resolution of the long-standing dispute between Tibet and China, presented to him… pic.twitter.com/B5uIBjj9hd
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) June 19, 2024
Later in the day, US Representative Congressman Gregory Meeks, who is heading the US delegation's visit to India, addressed the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala and reaffirmed the United States commitment to support the tibetan people.
“We are all here to call on the government of Beijing to immediately stop its countless abuses of Tibetan human rights. It is time for Beijing to reengage in dialogue without preconditions, with His Holiness and his representatives, to reach a negotiated resolution that leads to meaningful autonomy for the Tibetan people, “ Meeks said.
The Resolve Tibet act
The bill, called Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, refutes Beijing's claim that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times and calls for the region’s autonomy. Additionally, it urges Beijing to pursue talks with Tibetan figures, as no formal dialogue between the Chinese and Tibetan authorities has taken place since 2010.
The bill was passed by both chambers of Congress and now awaits President Biden’s signature.
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