New Delhi, 30 July 2026: Continuing its Tibet advocacy campaign in the Indian capital, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, led by Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, met with Indian Union Minister of State and Members of Parliament on the fourth day of its outreach programme.
Divided into two delegations, the Tibetan parliamentary representatives engaged with Indian Union Minister of State and lawmakers to raise awareness about the People’s Republic of China’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law. They also highlighted the self-immolation protest of Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen outside the United Nations Headquarters in opposition to the legislation.
The first delegation, comprising Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Parliamentarians Choedak Gyatso and Gyaltsen Choekye Gagya, met with Smt. Dr. Byreddy Shabari, Member of Lok Sabha (Telugu Desam Party); Shri N. K. Premachandran, Member of Lok Sabha (Revolutionary Socialist Party); Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, Member of Lok Sabha (BJP) and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand; and Smt. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Member of Lok Sabha (BJP).
The second delegation, comprising Parliamentarians Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, Lobsang Thupten Pontsang, and Gonpo Dhundup, met with Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy of India; Shri Janardan Mishra, Member of Lok Sabha (BJP); and Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal, Member of Lok Sabha (BJP).
The two delegations also jointly met with Shri Tapir Gao, Member of Lok Sabha (BJP) and Co-convener of the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet (APIPFT), and Shri Amarsing Tisso, Member of Lok Sabha (BJP).
During the meetings, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile representatives expressed concern that China’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law establishes a legal framework that could further accelerate the forced assimilation of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Southern Mongolians, and other non-Han communities, placing their distinct languages, religious traditions, cultures, and identities at greater risk.
The delegation further emphasised that the implications of the legislation extend beyond China’s borders. They stated that the law could strengthen the Chinese Communist Party’s ability to intimidate, monitor, and exert influence over Tibetan communities living overseas. The representatives cautioned that Tibetans in India and other democratic countries may face increased risks of transnational repression, raising broader concerns regarding democratic sovereignty, civil liberties, and fundamental freedoms.
During the meetings, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile appealed to Members of the Indian Parliament to:
- Raise awareness within Parliament and relevant parliamentary committees about the implications of China’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law.
- Support the cultural, linguistic, and religious rights of the Tibetan people and other affected communities.
- Oppose all forms of transnational repression that threaten democratic freedoms and the security of Tibetan communities living in India.
- Recognise Tibet’s historical status as an independent nation prior to its invasion and occupation by the People’s Republic of China.
- Urge the leadership of the People’s Republic of China to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the Tibet–China conflict, while continuing India’s longstanding support for the peaceful and non-violent aspirations of the Tibetan people in accordance with the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The delegation also presented Members of Parliament with the Official Resolution of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile condemning China’s Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, an Official Resolution expressing solidarity with the critical situation inside Tibet, and the Official Statement of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on the self-immolation protest for the cause of Tibet by Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen.
The parliamentary delegation was accompanied by Parliamentary Secretariat staff members Tsering Lhamo, Tenzin Choeying, Phuntsok Gyatso, and Tenzin Palden.
