Dharamshala, 21st May: Urza Zeya, the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, came to Dharamshala on Wednesday, May 18th, and was greeted warmly by the local Tibetans on the first day of her two-day visit to Dharamshala. The CTA officials, led by Sikyong Penpa Tsering, took the US State Department delegation to the Kashag Secretariat for a brief meeting followed by a tour of Gangchen Kyishong’s offices. Zeya will be in India and Nepal from May 17 to 22.
A high-level visit from the United States, such as this one, demonstrates the latter’s significant support for the Tibetan cause. This is also the first visit by a higher-ranking Biden administration official. In December of last year, she was named the special coordinator for Tibetan issues. The International Campaign for Tibet applauded her appointment and hoped she would work hard to promote communication between the Dalai Lama’s envoys and Chinese leaders.
The Special Coordinator’s visit comes after Sikyong Penpa Tsering visited Washington last month and spoke with the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who has been a constant supporter of Tibet cause.
The Biden administration has reaffirmed US support for Tibet by designating Urza Zeya as the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues last year and sending her to India this year to meet with the Dalai Lama and other high-ranking Tibetan leaders. The United States also opposes China’s claim to have the right to choose the next Dalai Lama.
Zeya will go to Nepal after her India visit from May 17 to 22 to enhance collaboration on human rights and democratic governance goals, as well as advance humanitarian priorities, according to the State Department.
Image Credit: tibet.net
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