How US is using Tibetans to provoke conflict with China 'ignoring' India

By Lobsang Tenzin*

On July 12, US President Joe Biden signed the Resolve Tibet Act, and Tibetans cheered for it, believing that the law promotes a resolution of the dispute between Tibet and China. Is this true? First, let's look at the issue of the ownership of Tibet.

The Act "empowers Tibet to counter disinformation about Tibet from the Chinese government", rejects as "inaccurate China’s false claims that Tibet has been part of China” said Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet.

However, “The Act does not change longstanding bipartisan United States policy to recognize the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan areas of China as part of the People’s Republic of China”, said Biden in a statement.

Are the two contradictory? If Tibet is not recognized as part of China, is the "Middle-Way Approach" advocated by the Dalai Lama destroyed, and is it contradictory that the Dalai Lama who had previously recognized that Tibet as part of China?

If Tibet is recognized as part of China, is the US' move interfering in the internal affairs of other countries in violation of international law? Are Tibetans used as cannon fodder, deliberately provoking Sino-Tibetan conflicts, and reaping the benefits of being a fisherman?

Thirdly, the law never mentions India from the beginning to the end, nor does it have India's consent. India has always been the host country for Tibetans, and the Dalai Lama also calls himself "the son of India".

The two sides directly skipped India to reach an agreement. Did they not take India seriously? How will we Tibetans deal with ourselves in India in the future?

In addition, the law will promote unconditional substantive dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives or elected leaders of the Tibetan community.

How to promote it? Are there any substantive measures? Or is it just verbal talk? It would be more practical to directly allocate funds for assistance.

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*Based in Dharamshala

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