India Tibet Support Groups Reaffirm Solidarity, Call for Sino-Tibet Dialogue at Dharamsala Conference
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA, 13 March: The 8th All India Tibet Support Group’s Conference concluded its meeting in Dharamsala on Friday, with a declaration reaffirming solidarity with the Tibetan people and calling for the resumption of dialogue between Tibet and China.
The conference, held on 12 -13 March at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, brought together representatives of Tibet Support Groups from across India to reaffirm their support for Tibetans’ aspirations for freedom and the preservation of their ancient culture.
In the declaration, delegates recalled the longstanding support of the Indian people for Tibet. The statement referenced historical expressions of solidarity, including support from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, initiatives by B. R. Ambedkar in 1954, and the 1959 All India Tibet Convention initiated by Jayaprakash Narayan – three key figures from India’s fight for independence from British rule.
Participants condemned China’s gross human rights violations in Tibet, citing restrictions on religious freedom, mass surveillance, and the expansion of colonial-style boarding schools for Tibetan children, which they said aim to erode Tibetan identity.
They further called for recognition of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the legitimate representative of Tibetans.
Delegates also urged the resumption of dialogue between the representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama, the CTA and the Chinese government to peacefully resolve the Sino-Tibet conflict. Additionally, the conference also appealed to the Government of India to raise the Tibet issue on international platforms and support the resumption of Sino-Tibet dialogue.
They further expressed appreciation for the lifelong contributions of the Dalai Lama in promoting global values such as peace, compassion, non-violence, environmental awareness, and the revival of the Nalanda tradition of Buddhism.
The declaration rejected China’s claim over the authority to determine the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and reaffirmed that the centuries-old tradition of recognising the reincarnation rests solely with the Gaden Phodrang Trust.
The conference also congratulated the Dalai Lama on receiving a Grammy Award this year, noting that it coincides with the “Year of Compassion” marking his 90th birth anniversary.
Concluding the declaration, participants resolved to strengthen Tibet Support Groups across India, increase awareness through academic programs and social media campaigns, organise cultural and environmental initiatives, and encourage greater participation from youth, women, and civil society.
