Exiled Tibetan Government ready for talks with China on Tibet's future

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Newly-elected Tibetan Prime Minister in-Exile Lobsang Sangay said Thursday that his government is ready to negotiate with China 'anytime, anywhere' on the issue of Tibet's future, provided their core demand of genuine autonomy is addressed.

Sangay, who was elected prime minister last month, was in Delhi to lend his support to Tibetan exiles who are observing a hunger strike for the past 18 days over a demand for the withdrawal of Chinese troops from the Kirti Monastery in Tibet.

Sangay, who had earlier hinted that he could move beyond the Dalai Lama's "middle way" policy of negotiating for autonomy for Tibet from China, is expected to bring in a more radical government-in-exile to challenge China after the Dalai Lama moved to relinquish his political role.

  "From our side, our stand has been very clear. We are willing to negotiate with the Chinese Government anytime, anywhere. And what the stated policy of the Tibetan government in exile is genuine autonomy within China. Now, after (sic) all the changes will be made as far as exile constitution is concerned, then we will wait and see how the Chinese Government reacts. From our side, we are willing to negotiate anytime, anywhere," said Sangay.

  Sangay said he would try to walk on the path shown by the Dalai Lama and remain committed to fulfilling his vision and expectations.

  

"His Holiness made a magnanimous decision to devolve his political powers through elected leaders. It is not a question of replacing him. He is irreplaceable. He has led us brilliantly for the last 50 years and he will be a great source of inspiration for all of us. What he expects from the elected leaders is to live up to his vision of a secular democratic society and fulfill his expectation to be the spokesperson and to be the political face of the Tibetan people. I am committed to fulfilling his vision and expectation," said Sangay.

The handover of power will give the prime minister's role greater clout as the region seeks autonomy from China and could stave off a possible crisis of leadership in the event of the Dalai Lama's death.

Sangay added that his priorities as the newly elected prime minister were to garner support for the Tibetan cause and help the Dalai Lama reach his homeland.

"Number one priority for any Kalon Tripa, head of the administration, is to restore freedom in Tibet and to have His Holiness the Dalai Lama return to his rightful place in Lhasa, that is the capital of Tibet. Then other priorities include-to create awareness at the international level and to seek the support and, most important, support will always be of India and Indian people," said Sangay.

As a student in Delhi, Sangay was a leader of the Tibetan Youth Congress, which demanded complete independence. Born in a refugee settlement in India in 1968, Sangay won a Fulbright scholarship to Harvard where he earned a doctorate in law.

He appealed to the members of the Tibetan Youth Congress, on a hunger strike to show their solidarity with the monks at the Kirti Monastery to break their fast as it was putting their health in danger.

  "On the one hand, what they are experiencing, by putting themselves at risk, pales in comparison to Tibetans who are suffering inside Tibet. Having said that, to go through days and days, it is the 18th day; without food, is a tremendous risk that one is putting himself (at). So, I am here to show my solidarity and say thank you on behalf of the Tibetan people and also to tell them we are with them," said Sangay.

The Tibetans have been demanding the withdrawal of Chinese troops from the monastery. They allege the monastery, a sanctuary for practice of Buddhism and teachings of peace, has been converted into a prison and garrison by China.

Reportedly, the Chinese authorities conducted a raid on the Kirti Monastery in Tibet's Ngaba region between March 16 to April 12, resulting in the death of at least two elderly persons and the arrest of over 300 monks.

According to media reports, Phuntsok, a 20-year-old monk, committed self-immolation on March 16 to protest Chinese troop occupation of the monastery.

Tibet has been under Chinese occupation since 1950.

An estimated 80,000 Tibetans and the Dalai Lama arrived in India in 1959 after failing to get rid of the Chinese.

By Pooja Shali (ANI)