In an interview with WION, Penpa Tsering has praised PM Modi’s call to the Dalai Lama on his birthday, claiming that it sends a message to China. For the first time, the Indian Prime Minister publicly greeted the Dalai Lama on his birthday last week. This is a significant change from previous practices. “We know that the Indian govt, particularly PM Modi has been wishing his Holiness Dalai Lama for many years. It is just not PM Modi, but his predecessors as well.” said sikyong.

“loyalty of Tibetan people inside Tibet lies with his holiness Dalai Lama and Central Tibetan administration rather than the Chinese government.,” Penpa Tsering said, referring to the Chinese government’s efforts to eliminate “Tibetan national identity.” In response to China’s desire to name the next Dalai Lama, he urged that “if China is really interested in looking for reincarnation they should learn Buddhism first.”

Sikyong responded to a question from WION on the “Indian PM calling Dalai Lama and congratulating him on his birthday” by “I have always been saying it will be too naive on my part to advise the Indian govt as to what they should be doing. But over the last 60 years, the humanitarian support, the political support that the Indian govt has extended to the central Tibetan administration and its people and diaspora. Therefore we remain ever grateful, but in terms of political position, his holiness Dalai Lama used to say India is over-cautious when it comes to Tibet. Now because of the certain emerging situation that has already developed over the last one or 2 years with Galwan and Doklam, there is a sense of urgency within the Indian leadership, as well as the media and the people. A lot of interest as to what is happening and how Tibet comes into play because there was no border ever before 1951 when the so-called 17 point agenda was enforced on the Tibetans through the threat of invasion by the Chinese people liberation army. But at the same time, we are very very grateful and we know that the Indian govt, particularly PM Modi has been wishing his Holiness Dalai Lama for many years. It is just not PM Modi, but his predecessors as well. This time, the defense was that also because of technology PM made it public and everyone got to know that, that also sends a signal to Chinese leadership as to where the relationship between the Indian govt, his Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the Tibetan people are today. It is a development that sends a message. ”

Image source: msn.com

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