India may fine-tune its rhetoric on Tibet but will never adopt a anti-Tibet position
-by Dhundup Gyalpo for The Week
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.
Thus, the question arises again: Will the Government of India change its Tibet policy? My answer—then and now—has invariably remained the same. Click here to read more.
