US Delegation Visits Dharamshala

By Tenzin Samten / August 5, 2019;

His Holiness with the six member US delegation at his residence
Photo:OHHDL

A six member United States Congressional delegation, led by Chairman David Price and Vice-chair Vern Buchanan of the House of Democracy Partnership, visited the Tibetan government-in-exile and His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his residence on August 3.

The delegation members interacted with His Holiness over a lunch reception at his residence. “We wanted to pay our respects and express our gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people for the inspiration they have been to us and the entire world”, said Congressman David Price.

Photo: OHHDL

“Our goal is to build [on the] friendship and partnership that we have built over many years and to take that relationship to another level”, added Congressman Buchanan while saying how much they appreciated the warm reception they have experienced at the Tibetan institutions. The delegation also visited Tsuglakhang, the main Tibetan temple in Dharmshala, as well as the offices of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also known as the Tibet Government-in-exile, and the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile.

The delegates went on to a reception packed with the officials of the CTA, all wishing to express their gratitude and respect. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay – President of CTA – in his welcome address said that the presence of such a high-level Congressional delegation in Dharamshala is sending a strong positive message to Beijing that democracy is inevitable and universal.

The President Dr Lobsang Sangay with the delegations
Photo: tibet.net

“For the Tibetans inside Tibet, your presence reassures and reaffirms their belief in the just cause of Tibet by sending them hope and inspiration” said Dr Sangay.

Congressman David Price in his address to the CTA officials said, “The experience of meeting His Holiness will never be forgotten by us as it was indeed an honour of a lifetime”. He thanked Dr Sangay for arranging the meeting and reassured the participants of the continued support of the US to Tibetan communities in India and Nepal.

He further expressed the delegation’s appreciation of the commitment of Tibetans to democracy, which, he said, resonates with the purpose of their visit. He added that democracy is a work in progress and never perfectly and fully achieved.

In 2017, a similar high-level delegation visited Tibetan leadership in Dharamshala, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the US House of Representatives along with an eight-member bipartisan delegation.