Dalai Lama congratulates Biden as he takes office as 46th US President
DHARAMSALA, 21 Jan: The Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has extended his congratulations to Joe Biden after he took oath as the 46th President of the United States, along with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Congratulating Joe Biden, the 46th President of the US, the Dalai Lama commended on the President’s “high priority to the urgent issue of climate change.”
“I am so pleased that you are elevating the issue of climate change to your highest priority and that the United States is rejoining the Paris Climate Accord. Global warming is an urgent threat to the whole world and to the survival of our species,” the Dalai Lama said in a missive addressed to President Biden.
The octogenarian Tibetan leader further expressed his admiration to the US and described it as “the bastion of liberty, democracy, religious freedom and the rule of law,” and called for its continued leadership in the challenging times.
The whole world places its hope in the democratic vision and leadership of the United States. In these challenging times, I am confident that you will contribute to shaping a more peaceful world in which those suffering from hunger, disease and violence may find help. The need to address these issues is indeed pressing.
The Tibetan Nobel Laureate further expressed his gratitude to the President for his “long-standing support for the Tibetan people.”
“It has been our good fortune to have enjoyed the friendship and encouragement of the American people and their leaders in our endeavour to protect and preserve our ancient Buddhist culture, a culture of peace, non-violence and compassion.”
The Dalai Lama concluded by offering his prayers for the newly sworn-in President to succeed in meeting the challenges that lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of all Americans and in contributing to a more peaceful and harmonious world.”
During his campaign, President Biden said that if elected to power, he will meet with the Dalai Lama and that his administration will stand up for the people of Tibet with sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses in Tibet.
Donald Trump, the outgoing US President is the only US President who has not met the Dalai Lama since George H. W. Bush, the 41st US President and the first American President to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader.
All his predecessors in the white house, Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama have met the Dalai Lama.
Joe Biden took oath as the 46th President of the United States, along with Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday.
Hours into his presidency, Biden has announced that the US will rejoin the Paris Climate Accord.
The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. A total of 195 countries in the world are signatory to the agreement.
