Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, March 14: The 8th All India Tibet Support Groups Conference, held from March 12 to 13 at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) in Dharamshala, concluded with the adoption of a declaration reaffirming solidarity with the Tibetan people and their aspirations for freedom and cultural preservation. The two-day gathering brought together more than 200 supporters and participants, including presidents and members of Tibet Support Groups from across India.
The conference was convened by the Core Group for the Tibetan Cause – India and facilitated by the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO). During the concluding session, Rinchen Khandu Khrimey, the National Convener of the Core Group for the Tibetan Cause – India, announced the conference declaration summarizing the collective positions and commitments of the participating support groups.
The declaration recalled the historic support extended by the Indian people to Tibet since 1950, citing the positions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1954, and the All India Tibet Convention of 1959 initiated by Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan. It reaffirmed the deep civilizational, spiritual, and cultural ties shared between India and Tibet.
It expressed serious concern over what they described as the “continued occupation” of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China and the policies that threaten Tibet’s unique cultural identity, religious traditions, language, and fragile environment. The declaration also condemned reported human rights violations in Tibet, including restrictions on religious freedom, mass surveillance, the expansion of colonial-style boarding schools for Tibetan children, and efforts aimed at annihilating Tibetan identity.
The conference called for the recognition of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people. It also urged the resumption of dialogue between representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the CTA and the People’s Republic of China to peacefully resolve the Sino-Tibet conflict. Khrimey said the appeal for the Government of India to raise the Tibet issue on such a platform in support of dialogue marks the group’s first such call to the Indian government.
The declaration further expressed appreciation for the lifelong contributions of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in promoting world peace, compassion, non-violence, environmental awareness, and the revival of the Nalanda tradition of Buddhism.
The conference also rejected China’s claim over the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and reaffirmed that the centuries-old tradition governing the recognition of the reincarnation rests with the Gaden Phodrang Trust.
In addition, participants congratulated His Holiness the Dalai Lama on receiving a Grammy Award this year, noting that it coincides with the “Year of Compassion,” marking his upcoming 90th birthday anniversary.
The declaration concluded with a resolution to strengthen Tibet Support Groups across India, expand public awareness through academic programs and social media campaigns, organize cultural and environmental initiatives, and encourage greater participation from youth, women, and civil society in supporting the Tibetan cause.
