Nearly two years after former US Congress speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, she is visiting Dharamsala as a member of a US congressional delegation led by US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCall. are Meeting with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet.
In addition to McCaul and Pelosi, now Speaker Emerita, the delegation includes prominent members of the US Congress – Mariannette Miller, Gregory Meeks, Nicole Malliotakis, Jim McGovern, and Ami Bera.
Officials in Dharamsala said the delegation is on a two-day visit to Dharamsala and will meet the Dalai Lama on Wednesday morning. Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022 and Beijing reacted strongly to the US delegation's visit there as well.
After arriving at Guggul Airport in Dharamsala, McCaul expressed his excitement about the visit, saying, “We are excited to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and talk about many things.” That includes a bill passed by Congress that essentially says the United States stands with the Tibetan people. Asked if US President Joe Biden would sign the bill, McCaul said, “Yes , they will.”
High-ranking officials of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), including the exiled Tibetan Minister of Information and International Relations, Dolma Tsering, received the Congress delegation at the airport. Dharamshala has been the seat of power for Tibet's government-in-exile since the spiritual leader set foot in India six decades ago.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian urged Biden not to sign the bipartisan Tibet policy bill that has been passed by both the US Senate and House of Representatives. According to media reports in Washington, the bill is awaiting Biden's signature to become law.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 391-26 last Wednesday to approve the Tibet-China Conflict Promotion and Resolution Act, which passed the Senate, a media report said, adding that the bill directs funds to combat it. will do “Misinformation” from Beijing about Tibetan history, people and institutions. The bill seeks to counter China's narrative of its control over Tibet and promote dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama.
The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi reacted strongly to the US delegation's visit and “stressed” the US side to “recognize Xizang as part of China and not support Xizang's independence”. China officially calls Tibet Xizang.
“China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests,” a Chinese embassy spokesperson tweeted.
The spokesman said, “It is well known that the 14th #DalaiLama is not a pure religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the guise of religion. We urge the US side that the Dalai Fully recognize the group's anti-China separatist nature, honor the commitments the US has made to China on Xizang-related issues, and stop sending wrong signals to the world.”
“Xizang has always been a part of China since ancient times. Xizang's affairs are purely China's internal affairs and no outside interference will be allowed. No one or any power can control and suppress China. should never try to destabilize Xizang, said the Chinese embassy. It also tagged McCaul and Pelosi.
With input from PTI
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded by: 19-06-2024 at 02:17 IST