Tibetan Headlines
Jun 25: Tibetan Group Condemns China
The Core Group for the Tibetan Cause, an alliance of Tibetan support groups across India, has joined the condemnation of Chinese aggression on the Indo-Tibetan border. In a statement the group declared that “the act of aggression clearly shows the evil mentality of the Chinese regime”, whilst going on to echo previous calls “to completely boycott Chinese goods to protest the evil acts of Communist China”.
Jun 25: HH the Dalai Lama Speaks Out on Racism
His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama has spoken out on “old thinking”, saying that it is a focus on “little differences… that creates problems”. HH believes that “now, in America, there’s quite, I’ll say, narrow-minded thinking”adding that United States President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach makes him “uncomfortable”. The Tibetan spiritual leader stated that, “black people, white people — we are same…human, brother, sisters”.
Jun 25: China “Leverages” Tibet’s Water
A new report has highlighted how control of Tibet is “arming Beijing with increasing leverage over the countries critically dependent on river flows from the Tibetan Plateau”. Published in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs the report describes how “China has long pursued a broader strategy to corner natural resources”, and that China has turned “ecologically-fragile” Tibet “into the center of its mining and dam-building activities”.
Jun 25: “Patriotism” Campaign in Tibet
Reports are emerging of how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is enacting an “Ethnic Unity Law” in Tibet. CCP official, Pema Gyapo, is reported to have told monks at JangdaMonastery, “to take the initiative to consciously oppose separatism, claiming it was their duty to safeguard a united China and to be patriotic”. Critics believe the law is part of the CCP’s latest efforts to incorporate Tibet into China.
Jun 24: Tibet the Key to China-India Peace
The President of the exiled Central Tibetan Administration has renewed his call for Tibet to act as a “buffer zone” between China and India. Speaking at a conference titled “India-Tibet-China: Synergising Global Peace”, Lobsang Sangay, stated that historically “there was no need for an army, not even a police patrol. Tibet as the buffer zone, and zone of peace, assures the peace between the two countries”.
Jun 24: EU-China Discuss Tibet
The European Union (EU) has raised the human rights situation in Tibet with China at a joint summit held via video conference. The “treatment of minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet… human rights defenders, as well as restrictions on fundamental freedoms” were all discussed but President of European council, Charles Michel, observed that the EU has to “recognise that we do not share the same values, political systems, or approach to multilateralism”.
Jun 24: China-India to Ease Tensions
Following last week’s clashes on the Indo-Tibetan border senior Chinese and India commanders have met for talks. Indian media report that India’s Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, commander of the 14 Corps, and Chinese Major General Liu Lin, commander of the Tibet Military District, have met. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman has stated that the two sides “exchanged frank and in-depth views” and “agreed to maintain dialogue”.
Jun 23: Tibetan in India Positive for COVID-19
A Tibetan man is reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 whilst under quarantine in the Bylakuppe settlement in South India. The man was reportedly tested having arrived at the Tibetan settlement from Delhi and is now receiving treatment at a hospital in Mysore.
Jun 23: HH the Dalai Lama Recommended for Award
His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama has been recommended for India’s highest civilian award. Former Indian foreign secretary, Nirupama Menon Rao, has joined calls for HH to receive the Bharat Ratna in recognition of, “his service to humanity, his compassion, courage, and his abiding faith in democracy and fundamental freedoms”. Last year 200 Indian lawmakers petitioned the government of India to confer the award on HH the Dalai Lama.
Jun 23: Firearms Permitted on Indo-Tibetan Border
Following clashes with China, India has amended rules of engagement for its troops on the Indo-Tibetan border, reportedly “empowering field commanders to sanction the use of firearms under ‘extraordinary’ circumstances”. For decades the two sides have agreed not to bring weapons within two kilometres of the border. The decision comes after 20 Indian soldiers were killed after being “attacked with iron rods, nail-studded clubs and rocks wrapped in barbed wire”.
Jun 23: Nepal Villages “Annexed”
China is reported to have annexed two villages on the Nepal-Tibet border. The settlements of Rui and Teiga, located in the northern part of Gorkha district, have come under Chinese control after the moving of border posts. Historian Ramesh Dhungal believes the accessibility of Indo-Tibetan border ensures visibility of border issues, “but the situation of Nepal at the northern border with Tibet is extremely bad”.
Jun 22: “Little Lhasa” Remains Closed
Despite curfew restrictions in India easing much of McLeod Ganj remains closed with reports that just 20 per cent of shops are open. Affectionately known as “Little Lhasa”, businesses in the home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are heavily dependent on tourist. Hotel owner, Akshay Runchal, believes that, “hoteliers have accepted the fact that there will be no tourist in the region for the next six months”.
Jun 22: Tibetan in Quarantine Positive for COVID-19
A 19-year-old Tibetan woman has tested positive for COVID-19 whilst in quarantine. The unnamed person is reported to have travelled from the Indian capital Delhi to Dharamshala, and was “under mandatory institutional quarantine” when tested. She is reported to be in a stable condition and receiving treatment at hospital in Dharamshala.
Jun 21: Nepal Following Tibet
A retired Indian Army officer has warned that, “Nepal is certainly going the Tibet way”. Describing the signs as “ominous” Major General Mrinal Suman has warned that Nepal’s increasing political alignment with China risks the country “being economically, politically and culturally colonised”. Suman added that, “Tibet is a state under foreign siege. [A] similar fate awaits Nepal”.
Jun 21: Anti-China Protests Across India
Anti-China protests have spread across India following clashes on the Indo-Tibetan border. On Saturday members of the Tibetan Youth Congress led a march in West Bengal calling for the boycott of Chinese products. In Delhi Tibetans took to the streets and “condemned the killing of 20 Indian Jawans”, whilst in Dharamshala locals gathered at the State War Memorial to pay homage to the fallen soldiers.