Dharamshala, November 13, 2026: Dr. Upendra Kothekar, Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra; Dr. Manisha Kothekar, Chair of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM), Government of India; and Prof. Asim Ali Khan, President of the Board of Undergraduate Studies (BUSS), NCISM, visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile today. They met with Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang this morning at Gangchen Kyishong in Dharamshala. The delegation was accompanied by Dr. Ngawang Soepa, Principal and Medical Superintendent of Men-Tsee-Khang Sowa-Rigpa Medical College & Hospital, and Ngawang Choedhar, Protocol Officer of the Department of Information and International Relations (Central Tibetan Administration).

During the meeting, the Speaker provided visiting dignitaries with an overview of the historical development, organizational structure, and operational framework of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the democratic governance of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). She emphasized the democratic vision of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the ongoing initiatives to preserve and enhance Tibetan democratic institutions in exile.

Addressing the distinctive cultural, religious, and historical bonds between Tibet and India, the Speaker noted that the Tibetan cause extends beyond human rights concerns; China’s exploitation of the Tibetan plateau poses significant risks to downstream nations, including India, due to potential disasters in a highly sensitive and seismically active region.

The dignitaries expressed strong interest in obtaining direct insight into the Tibetan democratic system and the CTA’s operations. The dialogue facilitated an exchange of perspectives and reinforced mutual understanding of the Tibetan people’s democratic progress and aspirations. The session concluded with a guided tour of the Parliament Hall.