New Delhi, 18th December 2024: As the Indian Parliament’s winter session unfolds in New Delhi, members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile have been actively advocating for Tibet from December 16th to 18th. Over the course of these three days, they reached out to key figures including one Union Minister, two Ministers of State, 79 members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha from various political parties, as well as an independent candidate and president nominated, representing a broad spectrum of states and dignitaries.

The parliamentarians, organized into six committees, focused their advocacy efforts on December 18th, third day of their advocacy, by meeting with 31 MPs from both houses of Parliament, representing 7 different political parties, 1 Independent Candidate, and 1 President Nominated. Their goals included raising awareness about the severe challenges faced by Tibetans under the Chinese Communist regime, expressing gratitude to the Government of India for its support in hosting His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan refugees since 1959, and encouraging Indian parliamentarians to join the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet (APIPFT).

The parliamentarians grouped into 6 committees, on their third day of advocacy on 18th Dec, met with MPs from both the houses, representing varied political parties. Their objective is to raise awareness about the serious challenges faced by the Tibetan people under the Chinese Communist regime, express gratitude to the government and people of India for their hospitality in hosting His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan refugees since 1959, and encourage Indian Parliamentarians to join the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet (APIPFT).

The first committee consisting of Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, MP Geshe Monlam Tharchin, MP Youdon Aukatsang, MP Tashi Dhundup, and MP Tenzing Jigme met with MP Saumitra Khan, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP Jagannath Sarkar, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP Vinod Kumar Bind, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP Patel Babubhai, Lok Sabha member (IND); and MP KR Suresh Reddy, Rajya Sabha member (BRS).

The second committee with Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, MP Dawa Phunkyi, MP Kunga Sotop, MP Lobsang Thupten, and MP Thupten Gyatso reached out to MP Vishu Dutt Sharma, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP Chhatrapal Singh, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP V. D. Sharma, Lok Sabha member (BJP); Former IAS officer MP Kumar Naik, Lok Sabha member (INC); MP Devesh Chandra Thakur, Lok Sabha member (JDU); and MP Vivek K. Tankha, Rajya Sabha member (INC).

And the third group with MP Dawa Tsering, MP Tenpa Yarphel, MP Rigzin Lhundup, MP Wangdue Dorjee, and MP Pema Tso met with Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; MP Chhotelal Singh Kharwar, Lok Sabha member (Samajwadi Party); MP Sunita Verma, Lok Sabha member (Samajwadi Party); MP Janardan Mishra, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP Adoor Prakash, Lok Sabha member (INC); MP Rajkumar Sangwan, Lok Sabha, and MP Amar Singh, Lok Sabha member (INC).

The fourth committee consisitng of MP Tenzin Jigdal, MP Tenpa Yarphel, MP Tsaneytsang Dhondup Tashi, MP Tsering Yangchen, and MP Phurpa Dorjee held met with MP Lehar Singh Siroya, Rajya Sabha member (BJP).

The fifth group consisting of MP Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, MP Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar, MP Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen, and MP Choedak Gyatso engaged with MP Gajendra Singh Patel, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP Ganesh Singh, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP Rodmal Nagar, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP Praveen Khandelwal, Lok Sabha member (BJP); MP Vivek Tankha, Rajya Sabha member (INC), and MP Kuldeep Indora, Lok Sabha member (INC).

The sixth group consisting of MP Migyur Dorjee, MP Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Phende, MP Tsering Lhamo, MP Lobsang Gyatso Sither, and MP Thondup Tsering met with MP Ram Chander Jangra, Rajya Sabha member (BJP); MP Dharmvir Singh, Lok Sabha member (BJP); and MP Gulam Ali, President Nominated, Rajya Sabha member (BJP).

In the eight point appeal letter submitted to the aforementioned Indian leaders, the Tibetan Parliamentarians appealed that Tibet should be recognized as an occupied nation with a distinct and sovereign past, supported by historical evidence. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) should engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama or elected Tibetan leaders to resolve the Tibet-China conflict under the Middle Way Policy, seeking genuine autonomy within China’s constitution.

They also appealed that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) should initiate studies on the environmental impact of China’s exploitation of Tibet’s resources and its contribution to global climate change. Independent human rights organizations must be granted access to monitor the human rights situation in Tibet, and UN Special Rapporteurs should be invited to visit. China must also release all Tibetan political prisoners, including Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama. The PRC should cease its policies aimed at eradicating Tibetan culture, language, and religion.

Additionally, urging that a national legislative framework should be established to combat China’s authoritarianism and disinformation campaigns, which threaten democratic institutions and global stability. Legislators must raise awareness and express concerns about human rights violations in Tibet on all available platforms.

This advocacy effort is being coordinated by the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) with its Coordinator and staff alongside Tibetan Parliamentary staff members accompanying the committees during their meetings.