The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile (TPIE), on behalf of Tibetans in and outside Tibet, expressed gratitude to United States President Barack Obama for welcoming HH the Dalai Lama to the White House despite strong objections from the Chinese government. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of TPIE, thanked the US for their continued support of Tibetans and for encouraging meaningful dialogue between His Holiness’s representatives and the Chinese authorities.