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By Khedroob Thondup
The question of whether Tibetan lamas in exile should visit Tibet if permitted by Beijing is not simply a matter of travel. It is a profound test of spiritual fidelity, political calculation, and communal unity. On the surface, such visits promise a long-awaited homecoming, a chance to reconnect with sacred landscapes and ease tensions. Yet beneath that promise lies the risk of exploitation, division, and propaganda.

By Khedroob Thondup
The sweep of history reminds us of a simple truth: no empire, however mighty, is permanent. Rome, the Ottomans, the British Raj—all believed their dominion eternal, only to discover that power is cyclical, not absolute. Today, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) exercises seemingly unassailable control over the Tibetan Plateau, integrating it through modernization, surveillance, and demographic engineering. Yet the long arc of history suggests that rigid, coercive assimilation strategies ultimately face systemic limits.

By Khedroob Thondup
For sixty-seven years, Tibet has remained under Chinese occupation—a reality that has reshaped the Himalayan plateau and reverberated across the world. To imagine Beijing voluntarily loosening its grip on Tibet without seismic shifts inside China itself is to misunderstand both the strategic calculus of the Chinese state and the symbolic weight Tibet carries in the Chinese Communist Party’s narrative.

By Khedroob Thondup Executive Summary. The United Front Work Department (UFWD) is a central organ of the Chinese Communist Party

By Khedroob Thondup

In the long arc of Tibetan history, the Chinese Communist Party has sought to erode the spiritual foundations of Tibetan identity. Yet, despite decades of repression, the Tibetan people’s devotion to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and their deep-rooted belief in religion remain unshaken. These are not fragile sentiments that can be legislated away; they are enduring strengths that continue to define Tibet’s resilience.

By Khedroob Thondup

In 1979, Gyalo Thondup’s meeting with Deng Xiaoping in Beijing marked the beginning of a new chapter in Tibet’s modern history. Deng’s words were blunt: “Anything but Independence can be discussed.” With that statement, the parameters of dialogue were set, and Tibetans entered into a process that would span decades, yielding both moments of hope and deep disillusionment.

By Khedroob Thondup

When Tibetans crossed into India in 1959, carrying little more than the clothes on their backs and the weight of exile, three forces bound us together: the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, our deep patriotism, and our unwavering desire to return to our homeland. These were not abstract ideals; they were lifelines. In the chaos of displacement, His Holiness became the moral compass, reminding us that exile was not the end of Tibet but the beginning of a new chapter in our struggle. Our patriotism was the glue that held together communities scattered across India, and our longing for home gave meaning to every sacrifice.