High-Level US Delegation Meets Dalai Lama, Presents Resolve Tibet Act

Dharamshala, June 19, 2024: On this morning, a high-level bipartisan delegation from the United States met with the Dalai Lama at his residence in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala. 

The delegation was led by Representative Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who presented the Dalai Lama with a framed copy of the Resolve Tibet Act. This bipartisan bill aims to enhance US support for Tibet and promote dialogue between the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama to achieve a peaceful resolution of the long-standing Tibet-China dispute.

During his address to the US delegation, the Dalai Lama emphasized the universal nature of humanity, saying, "We are the same human beings. We all have the same rights, and this world belongs to humanity. We should take care of this world irrespective of religion and tradition. People of the world should be peaceful and happy. That’s our goal."

Yesterday, the delegation visited the Central Tibetan Administration and met with Tibetan leadership to discuss the ongoing issues faced by the Tibetan community in exile. The delegation included Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Speaker Emerita; Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), House Veterans Affairs Committee; Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), House Ways and Means Committee; Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), House Rules Committee; and Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), House Foreign Affairs Committee. They were accompanied by their family members and staff.

Today, the delegation was honored by the Central Tibetan Administration at the main Tibetan temple outside the Dalai Lama's residence. In her address to the audience, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi conveyed a strong message to the Chinese government, stating, "The passing of this bill is a message to China that we (the USA) stand with the freedom of Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with his message of knowledge, tradition, compassion, purity of soul, and love, will live a long time, and his legacy will live forever. But you, the President of China, you'll be gone, and nobody will give you credit for anything."
 
The visit by the US delegation underscores the continued support of the United States for the Tibetan cause and highlights the ongoing efforts to promote human rights and peaceful dialogue.

At the outset of the 1959 Tibetan uprising, fearing for his life, the Dalai Lama and his retinue fled Tibet crossing into India on 30 March 1959, and later he set up the Government of Tibet in Exile in Dharamshala, India, which is often referred to as "Little Lhasa".