Dharamshala, 14 October 2026: US Senate staffers Molly Carpenter, Legislative Director for Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Bessie Chen, Policy Analyst for Indo-Pacific Affairs for Ranking Member Senator James Risch (R-Idaho) of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile this afternoon.
The staffers were accompanied by Andrea Samuelson, Director of Advocacy and Partnerships at the International Campaign for Tibet in the United States.
During the visit, the delegation met with Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang and Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel for an interactive discussion.
The visiting guests were briefed on the evolution of Tibetan democracy in exile, beginning with the establishment of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in 1960, followed by the first election of the Kalon Tripa in 2001, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s devolution of political and administrative authority to the elected leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration in 2011.
The delegation was also briefed on changes in the composition of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile over the past six decades and its current composition of 45 members elected by Tibetans across the world.
The discussion covered the functioning of the Parliament, including its biannual sessions, the formation of various parliamentary committees, the election of Kalons (ministers) and heads of the autonomous bodies of the Central Tibetan Administration by Parliament, and the organization of the World Parliamentary Convention on Tibet (WPCT).
The meeting also addressed the challenges of maintaining a democratic system in exile, the current situation in Tibet, and the expansionist policies of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), geopolitical significance of Tibetan plateau and Tibetan rivers, among other issues.
The Speakers also extended their gratitude to the USA government and its people for their long standing support to the cause of Tibet.
Following the meeting, the visiting staffers were taken on a tour of the Parliament Hall. 
