Delhi: The Core Group for Tibetan Cause–India (CGTC-I) convened its first meeting for the fiscal year 2025–2026 on 12 July 2025 at the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi. The meeting brought together 13 core group members and two special invitees—Jigme Jungney, Representative at the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Tenzin Lekshay, Additional Secretary, Department of Information & International Relations (DIIR), Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The meeting was convened by Shri R.K. Khrimey, National Convener of CGTC-I, and facilitated by the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), New Delhi.

The gathering opened with a welcome address by Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator of ITCO, followed by remarks from Jigme Jungney, who emphasised the importance of Indo-Tibet relations and the pivotal role CGTC-I plays in raising awareness about the situation in Tibet. He also called on members to actively support and promote the “Year of Compassion” campaign initiated by the CTA.

In the absence of the Convener during the initial session, Shri Surendra Kumar, National Co-Convener (Eastern Region), chaired the discussions and welcomed the enthusiastic participation of CGTC-I members from across the country.

In his address, Additional Secretary Tenzin Lekshay emphasised the urgency of amplifying His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s messages of peace and compassion within Indian society. He noted that the Tibet issue is no longer isolated but has become a matter of mutual concern for both India and Tibet, urging Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) to intensify efforts in outreach and youth engagement.

The meeting also saw several key decisions, including the planning of the upcoming 8th All India Tibet Support Group (AITSG) Conference, endorsement of the Year of Compassion initiatives, and the adoption of amendments to the CGTC-I By-Law.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Ngawang Choden, Program Officer, ITCO. The session reflected the Core Group’s renewed commitment to advancing Tibet advocacy efforts across India in a more coordinated, inclusive, and impactful manner.

One day prior to the CGTC-I meeting, on 11 July, members of the Core Group attended two historic events. In the morning, they participated in the Delhi launch of the report on China’s colonial boarding schools in Tibet, hosted jointly by the India Tibet Coordination Office and the Tibet Action Institute at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.

In the afternoon, CGTC-I members attended an event honouring His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on the occasion of his 90th birth anniversary (The Year of Compassion), hosted by Tibet House, the Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, at Bhim Auditorium, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, 15 Janpath Road, New Delhi. The day concluded with a committee meeting of the CGTC-I at the India Tibet Coordination Office, setting the stage for the main Core Group meeting on 12 July 2025.

-Report filed by India Tibet Coordination Office, DIIR, CTA