Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, April 30: A high-level German delegation facilitated by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) South Asia wrapped up a three-day visit to Dharamshala, the virtual capital of the exile Tibetan diaspora. The visit is aimed at providing a closer look at the democratic Tibetan exile set up to the visiting delegation and strengthen ties with the Tibetan exile leadership and institutions based here.
The delegation included members of parliament, diplomats, and professionals, notably Dr. Carsten Klein, Regional Head of FNF South Asia; Veit Dengler, co-founder and German MP from the NEOS; and Alena Fink-Trauschel, Member of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament, among others. Their visit focused on bolstering support for democratic governance and cultural preservation in the Tibetan exile community.
A highlight of the visit was a private audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Following the meeting, Veit Dengler described the audience as deeply moving, stating, “It was a great honour to meet His Holiness, whose life and teachings stand as a beacon of peace, religious harmony, and human dignity. I offered prayers for his long life.”
The delegation also met with Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering and members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) to discuss the evolution of the Tibetan democratic process in exile, the worsening situation inside Tibet, and the critical need for renewed international attention and support, particularly from European nations.
Acknowledging the longstanding partnership between the Tibetan Parliament and FNF, both sides highlighted the importance of continued collaboration on democratic capacity-building and policy research. Dr. Carsten Klein remarked, “It is an honour for FNF to facilitate this visit to Dharamshala, strengthening ties between the Tibetan leadership and influential voices from Germany. As long-standing friends of the Tibetan people and the CTA, we remain committed to supporting their pursuit of democracy, freedom, and cultural resilience.”
In addition to official meetings, the delegation visited key cultural and educational institutions including the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), Tibetan Children’s Village, Norbulingka Institute, Men-Tsee-Khang, and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA). A gala dinner hosted at TIPA showcased traditional Tibetan performances and reaffirmed the strong cultural identity of the Tibetan community in exile.
The visit concluded with renewed pledges of solidarity and deeper engagement from the German side, reaffirming international partnerships as crucial pillars in the Tibetan community’s continued struggle for justice and self-determination.
