A meeting between US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya and the Dalai Lama in New Delhi sparked anger from China on Monday. China strongly objected to what it deemed as interference in Tibet's internal affairs, emphasizing that external forces had no right to intervene.
Zeya, who serves as the US undersecretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights, arrived in India on Sunday. The meeting between Zeya, top US officials, and the Dalai Lama was confirmed by a Facebook post from the Central Tibetan Administration.
The Chinese Embassy in India criticized the meeting, accusing it of meddling in domestic matters. Wang Xiaojian, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, took to Twitter to express China's opposition, referring to Tibet as purely an internal affair. Xiaojian denounced the "US Special Coordinator for Tibet Issues," considering it a form of political manipulation and interference in China's internal affairs. Xiaojian further condemned the "Tibetan government-in-exile" as an illegal separatist group violating China's laws and Constitution.
The Chinese spokesperson called on the US to uphold its commitment, urging them to acknowledge Tibet as part of China, refrain from meddling in China's internal affairs under the pretext of Tibet-related issues, and not support the anti-China separatist activities of the Dalai clique.
During the meeting in Delhi, discussions reportedly covered the current situation in Tibet and China's regional policy. Attendees included Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the head of the Tibetan administration in exile; Norzin Dolma, the minister of information and international affairs, Tencho Gyatso, the president of the International Campaign for Tibet, and other prominent Tibetan officials. The US delegation included US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur.
Before leaving Dharamshala, the Dalai Lama spoke to the media, stating that Tibet was part of China and that the Chinese government had approached him for discussions. He emphasized that Tibet was not seeking independence and expressed his readiness to engage in negotiations with China.
China has consistently expressed its objection to high-ranking US officials meeting with the Dalai Lama, whom they consider a separatist leader. Despite China's concerns, the Dalai Lama has advocated for Tibetan autonomy within China rather than independence. China previously protested Zeya's visit to Dharamshala in May 2022 and the establishment of the "special coordinator on Tibetan issues" position by the Biden Administration in 2021.
The US has expressed support for the religious freedom, cultural preservation, and autonomy aspirations of the Tibetan people. However, China regards Tibet as an integral part of its territory and opposes Western involvement in Tibetan affairs. The recent meeting between US officials and the Dalai Lama has further complicated US diplomacy amid efforts to improve US-China relations.
