New Delhi:

Renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh and belligerence in Ladakh — this is what reflects China’s hegemonistic ambition and now that the US law about Tibet has been passed, it has challenged China’s claim that no nation recognises Tibetan Independence, Tibetan Prime Minister-in-Exile, Sikyong Penpa Tsering told NDTV today in an exclusive interview.

Asked about the Resolve Tibet Act — which became a law in the United States four days ago — he said through the Act, the US government says they do not accept the Chinese narrative that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times.

“So far, the Chinese government has been saying that there is not a single country that recognises the independence of Tibet or the government in exile… ‘But with this act, would the Chinese government be able to say that?” he said.

China has watched warily as  a bipartisan delegation led by ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Michael McCaul came to India last month and met the Dalai Lama, underscoring an acceleration in US diplomatic initiative on a long-pending human rights issue.

China had asked the US to respect its sensitivity on matters related to Tibet and suggested that the Dalai Lama “correct” his political propositions before talks can be held with him.

Asked about that, Mr McKaul said the US message to China was that “Do not destroy the culture of these people, their religion… Every people and country have a right to self-determination”.

The US message to China was also a silent criticism of Beijing’s alleged hegemonistic ambition that has led to discomfort among some.

Mr Tsering also alluded to it, saying,  “All the neighboring countries from Japan to Taiwan to Philippines, now they are having serious problems in the strategies… Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, everywhere they are escalating the situation. And then also because of their behavior, all the defense expenditures of all these countries are going on increasing every year, including New Zealand and Australia”.

”Some 8, 10 years ago, China declared an air identification [zone] and so on. At that time, I told our US friends when China can claim the air, they will claim everything under that air, sea or land or whatever,” he said.

“So these days, China’s hegemonistic ambitions are also reflected in terms of how they are renaming places, not just in Arunachal Pradesh or belligerence on Ladakh,” he added.

President Joe Biden pauses his remarks during a campaign event at Renaissance High School, on July 12, 2024, in Detroit
| Photo Credit: AP

President Joe Biden has signed into law a bill which enhances U.S. support for Tibet and promotes dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama toward a peaceful resolution of the dispute over the status and governance of the remote Himalayan region.

China had opposed the Resolve Tibet Act and described it as a destabilising Act. The Act was passed by the House of Representatives last February and it cleared the Senate in May.

Also read | It’s time for India to reclaim its voice on Tibet

“Today, I have signed into law S. 138, the “Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act” (the “Act”). I share the Congress’s bipartisan commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans and supporting efforts to preserve their distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage,” Biden said on Friday in a late-night statement.

“My Administration will continue to call on the People’s Republic of China to resume direct dialogue, without preconditions, with the Dalai Lama, or his representatives, to seek a settlement that resolves differences and leads to a negotiated agreement on Tibet,” Biden said.

The 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 and came to India where he set up the government-in-exile at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

From 2002 to 2010, the Dalai Lama’s representatives and the Chinese government held nine rounds of dialogue that did not produce any concrete outcome.

China views the 89-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, who is based in India, as a “separatist” who is working to split Tibet from the rest of the country.

The Act does not change longstanding bipartisan US policy to recognise the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan areas of China as part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) –- a policy decision that Biden said falls within his authority to recognise foreign states and the territorial bounds of such states.

The Act enhances US support for Tibet— empowering State Department officials to actively and directly counter disinformation about Tibet from the Chinese government.

It rejects false claims that Tibet has been part of China since “ancient times,” pushing for negotiations without preconditions between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives or the democratically elected leaders of the Tibetan community and affirming the State Department’s responsibility to coordinate with other governments in multilateral efforts toward the goal of a negotiated agreement on Tibet.

In June, China had opposed the bill.

“Anyone or any force who attempts to destabilise Xizang to contain or suppress China will not succeed,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

“The US should not sign the bill. China will take resolute measures to defend its sovereignty, security and development interests,” he said.

Meanwhile, the State Department imposed visa restrictions on several Chinese officials for their involvement in the repression of marginalised religious and ethnic communities.

“The PRC has not lived up to its commitments to respect and protect human rights, as demonstrated by the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, the erosion of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, persistent human rights abuses in Tibet, and transnational repression around the world,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Friday.

“We call on the PRC to abide by the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to accept the many recommendations made this year during the Universal Periodic Review of its human rights record, including unconditionally releasing PRC nationals it has arbitrarily and unjustly detained,” he said. 

Tibet is known as the ‘roof of the world’ and along with being a spiritual hub, it is also holds a very important geopolitical importance.

“Imperial Games in Tibet” explores strategic manoeuvers and geopolitical ambitions influencing Tibet’s modern history. Ambassador Sinha draws upon historical documents, personal insights, and diplomatic experience to analyze the interactions among major powers in the region – China, Britain, and Russia – and their implications for Tibet’s sovereignty and cultural identity.

A book discussion led by Ambassador Dilip Sinha on “Imperial Games in Tibet” was held on Saturday. Chief Guest for the event was Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM GOC-in-C Central Command.

Brig SK Singh, SM, and Ambassador Sinha presented key themes from the book, accompanied by a multimedia presentation featuring historical maps to provide an overview of the book’s main points.