Dalai Lama congratulates UK’s new PM Rishi Sunak
DHARAMSALA, 25 Oct: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has congratulated Rishi Sunak on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and wished him success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of the United Kingdom.
In a missive addressed to the UK’s new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to offer his congratulations, the Dalai Lama said that “over the last several decades, I have been able to visit the United Kingdom quite regularly, and have always been deeply touched by the affection and friendship shown to me by people from all walks of life.”
The Tibetan Nobel laureate has added that he was “encouraged by their enthusiasm and interest in my effort to promote a sense of the oneness of humanity and closer inter-religious harmony”, and thanked the British people for their consistent support for Tibet.
“At the same time, may I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the people of Great Britain for their consistent support for the Tibetan people’s aspirations for freedom and dignity.”
“These are very challenging times,” the Dalai Lama said and added that “In today’s highly interdependent world, what happens in one part of the world affects us all.”
The Tibetan spiritual leader concluded by wishing the UK’s new PM success in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people and in working to build a more peaceful world.
“ I, therefore, wish you every success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of the United Kingdom, and in working to build a more peaceful world.”
The 42-year-old investment banker-turned politician was elected unopposed as the new leader of Britain’s Conservative Party. The British politician of Indian descent is also the youngest to hold office in 210 years, and Britain’s first Hindu prime minister. As he succeeds Liz Truss, he is the UK’s 5th prime minister since 2017.
