Tibetan Political Leader Committed to Resuming Talks with China

Dharamshala: The Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the exiled Tibetan community, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, has reiterated that finding a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the issue of Tibet is a top priority for his government. His statement affirms his pre-election commitment to resume negotiations with Beijing, which have progressed intermittently since 2002.

On Monday, a meeting of top Tibetan officials, including the Kalon Tripa and senior envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, met in Dharamshala to discuss resuming talks with China. Sangay confirmed his commitment to the Dalai Lama's 'Middle-Way Approach' which advocates autonomy in Tibet rather than outright independence. He urged the envoys of the Dalai Lama to resume talks as soon as possible.

Since they began, discussions between the exiled Tibetan administration and China have been plagued by difficulties. Beijing rejects the Dalai Lama's proposal of genuine autonomy for Tibet. The relationship was strained further in 2008 when unrest broke out in Tibetan areas. China accused His Holiness the Dalai Lama of inciting the violence.

Monday's meeting comes as the conditions in Chinese occupied Tibet worsen. Since the 2008 uprising against Chinese rule, the situation inside Tibet has become increasingly tense. This year has seen an increase in cases of self-immolation by young Tibetans who find China's occupation and repression of Tibet intolerable.