Opinion: India’s policy on Tibet remains steadfast

In today’s tumultuous global geopolitical landscape, there is growing curiosity on whether the Government of India should revisit its Tibet policy. As a Tibetan, I believe it is essential to contextualise this question accurately. 

Changing dynamics in the region have often contributed to heightened media speculation on New Delhi resetting ties with Beijing. I vividly recall a brief period of reports of exaggerated bonhomie between India and China, especially following the Wuhan Summit in April 2018 and leading up to the Mamallapuram Summit in October 2019. 

During this period, numerous bilateral meetings between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping suggested a potential reset in Sino-Indian relations. The media also fervently highlighted their personal rapport, showcasing their informal interactions such as tea ceremonies and walks. 

At that time, some of our well-wishers expressed concern about whether the  Government of India might alter its Tibet policy due to the improving ties with China. I was frequently asked whether there had been any noticeable change in  India’s policy towards Tibet. 

However, following the Galwan Valley clash, relations between the two countries taking a hit dominated media reports. 

There is keen interest in deepening India’s strategic partnership with the  United States, particularly in the military and defence spheres. The U.S. now views  India as a key ally in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.  Moreover, the recent passage of the Resolve Tibet Act, signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden, which refutes Beijing’s claim that Tibet has been part of  China since ancient times, has again intensified calls for a reassessment of India’s Tibet policy. 

Given that the current policy was framed in an entirely different geopolitical era, and considering China’s growing belligerence on all fronts, it is quite understandable why the so-called Tibet card is being invoked in discussion every now and then. 

Thus, the question arises again: Will the Government of India change its  Tibet policy? My answer—then and now—has invariably remained the same. When it comes to core issues, India’s stance on Tibet has always been steadfast. 

Reflecting the prevailing global geopolitical climate and ongoing border tensions, the Government of India may fine-tune its rhetoric on Tibet, sometimes being vocal and at other times subdued. But I firmly believe that the Indian government will never adopt a position that is anti-Tibet or anti-Tibetan people. 

I am confident that my response will remain the same in the future. 

(Dhundup Gyalpo is the secretary of the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai  Lama, New Delhi. The views expressed are personal.)