Dharamshala: A delegation of senior journalists, coordinated by the India Tibet Coordination (ITCO), visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and met with Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang at 2 PM on 9th December 2024.

The delegation consisted of the following senior journalists: Narendra Nath Mishra, Political Editor at Navbharat Times; Pradeep Thakur, Editor of Governance at The Times of India; Keshav Padmanabhan, Principal Correspondent at The Print; Chin Wei Lee, Correspondent at Central News Agency, Taiwan; and Saman Husain, Correspondent at The Indian Express.

Welcoming the delegation, the Speaker emphasized that, over the past 65 years of exile, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has successfully preserved the unique Tibetan language, culture, and religion, while also focusing on the welfare of the Tibetan diaspora. He further highlighted the long-held vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to establish a democratic system for Tibetans, which culminated in the founding of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the swearing-in of the first 13 Tibetan representatives on 2nd September 1960.

Following His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s guidance, Tibetans elected their first Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) in 2001, and in 2011, His Holiness devolved political authority to the elected leadership of the CTA, leading to the establishment of a fully functioning democratic system.

The Speaker also discussed the critical situation in Tibet, highlighting issues such as political repression, environmental degradation, and discrimination against Tibetans. He called attention to China’s propaganda and misinformation campaigns and urged the visiting journalists to report the truth about Tibet and its people.

In her address, the Deputy Speaker welcomed the senior journalists and noted the significance of their visit to the CTA’s seat. She expressed gratitude for their visit to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and underscored that the Central Tibetan Administration is the legitimate representative of Tibetans.

The Deputy Speaker shared historical insights, emphasizing that Tibet was once an independent nation with a distinct identity and diplomatic ties with neighbouring countries. She argued that China’s aggression toward India began with its occupation of Tibet, and that the resolution of the Sino-Tibetan conflict is key to resolving the Sino-Indian border dispute.

On the restrictions imposed on Tibetans by the Chinese government, the Deputy Speaker spoke about the systematic indoctrination of Tibetan children in Chinese-run boarding schools, where they are subjected to fear and Communist ideology. She also addressed the destruction of Tibetan language and religion, with policies aimed at eradicating Tibetan identity.

The Deputy Speaker further criticized countries that support China’s One-China policy for business interests, without regard to the historical facts, and called on these nations to reconsider their stance against China’s dictates.

Concluding her remarks, the Deputy Speaker emphasized the important role that India, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration in India, can play in resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict by reassessing its foreign policy toward Tibet.