Sikyong Sangay urges China to negotiate with representatives of His Holiness after 28th task force meeting

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA: July 18: Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the Political head of Central Tibetan Administration briefed the media today about the two-day meeting of The Task Force on Sino-Tibetan negotiation held from July 15 – 16 at Asia Health Resort in Dharamsala.

Echoing Tibetan people’s complete determination and commitment for the peaceful resolution of the Tibetan issue through dialogue, Sikyong Sangay urged the Chinese Government to hold to the other end of the bargain by negotiating with the representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Sikyong Sangay presided over the 28th meeting of the Tibetan Task Force (TTF), wherein ideas and opinions were brainstormed to formulate policies and strategies as to what the Tibetans should plan and do keeping in mind the developments in international politics.

This is Sikyong Sangay’s seventh and the 15th kashag’s (cabinet) 1st TTF meeting.

Political, social, economical and geo-political developments in China and the current situation in Tibet were specially discussed and analyzed at length during the meeting.

“The recent political developments around the world, upcoming American election, US-China relations, Brexit, the UN ruling of the South China Sea dispute against China, Taiwan’s new president, Tsai Ing-wen defying China and China’s open objection to India’s NSG membership were discussed and its political significance as well as human rights and environmental condition in Tibet were also analyzed during the meeting,” Sikyong Sangay said while briefing about the just concluded TTF.

“There is a dilution if not decline of internationalism and liberalism but there is a rise of nationalism and extremism in the global context and Tibet, also being a freedom movement globally, we have to determine where do we fit in with His Holiness’ message of universal peace and responsibility and our non-violence policy; we have to determine where Tibet is and where Tibet Should be,” Sikyong further added.

“Its for the Sikyong and Kashag to decide,” Sikyong quipped when asked about the consensus reached during the TFF meeting.  He described the meeting as a very important brainstorming session to generate ideas and information that prepares the leadership in formulating policies.

Describing the newly elected Chief Minister of Anurachal Prasesh, Mr Pema Khando as a good friend, Sikyong Sangay congratulated him on his appointment as the youngest Chief Minister of the state whose late father was a devoted Buddhist and a follower of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.