Modi and Tibet: A new step for India, A new hope for Tibet?

By Wendhe Choetsoe / May 29, 2014;

Shri Narendra Modi taking the oath of office
Photo: Tibet.net

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay attended the swearing-in ceremony of India’s newly elected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The ceremony was held at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan in the capital, New Delhi, on May 26. Modi’s invitation to the Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile to attend the ceremony has received great appreciation from Tibetans and their supporters. Sikyong Sangay was accompanied by Home Kalon (minister) Dolma Gyari of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), and the event provided both a good opportunity to meet other dignitaries and world leaders attending the ceremony.

“Although, it was only for a short period of time I saw Sikyong sitting among dignitaries at Modi ji’s swearing-in ceremony on television. I felt very proud,” said a young Tibetan woman in Dharamshala. Tibetans shared their joy in cyberspace. Among many others, Tashi Dorjee wrote on Facebook “Thank you Modi-ji and the BJP for your respect to [the] exile Tibetan government.”

A rigorous campaign for a new government for India ended with a victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on May 18, which defeated the Congress Party after its 30 years’ rule.

Shri Narendra Modi presenting a gift to HH the Dalai Lama in Baroda, Gujurat in January 2010 Photo: narendramodi.in

Shri Narendra Modi presenting a souvenir to HH the Dalai Lama in Baroda, Gujurat in January 2010
Photo: narendramodi.in

Leaders of several countries, including Britain, Bangladesh, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, congratulated Modi after the results were declared. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibet sent a congratulatory letter to the Prime Minister. The Dalai Lama said that he took pride in citing India as a living example of unity in diversity. His Holiness wished him every success in meeting the many challenges that lay ahead and in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of this great nation. The newly elected Indian Prime Minister thanked His Holiness for the letter. Modi tweeted, “Extremely grateful to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his wishes and words of appreciation.

Tibetan Parliamentary Delegation with Modi in Gandhi Nagar, India, on 6 September 2013

The CTA and the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile also congratulated Prime Minister Modi and the BJP for their historic win.

India’s 15th Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign promised to revive the economy, end corruption and provide employment opportunities for India’s young people under its campaign slogan “the good days are about to come”. However, what it will mean to the Tibetans and to the Tibet issue, only time will tell.