DHARAMSHALA: Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary of the Department of Information & International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration, visited the Philippines from 16-18 June to highlight the case of Tibet and in particular to address the water resource potential of Tibet at a panel discussion on ‘Water Security and Asia’. As the main speaker at the panel, Mr Phuntsok made a power-point presentation on Tibet and Asia’s water resource.

His address included the danger of its depletion if timely precaution is not taken. Under Chinese rule there have been unprecedented constructions of dams, resettlement of nomads, fencing of grasslands, depletion of permafrost – causing enormous stress on the water resource of Asia in Tibet -known also as the Third Pole or the Water Tower of Asia.

The panel included Mr Vinod Saigal, Retired Major General, India, Mr Leung Kyok Hun, member, Legislative Council, Hong Kong. The panel discussion was held at the prestigious Ayala Museum in Manila on 18 June 2013.

The Secretary also participated in a very well attended seminar on India’s expanding maritime interests in South East Asia organised by the Asian Center, University of the Philippines. At a dinner meeting at Karma Yeshi Lhundrup’s center, he met with followers of Buddhism and Tibet supporters.

The visit by the Secretary to Manila took place at the invitation of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples under the Office of the President of the Philippines. Mr Phuntsok met with the Directors of the Commission, Marie Grace T. Pascua, Leilene Marie C. Gallardo, Carlos P. Buasen Jr. and Masli A. Quilaman. Col. Ferdinand M. Fraginal, Senior Military Aide in the Office of the Vice President attended his panel presentation. He also met with the Ambassador and the First Secretary of Malaysia and more importantly the Ambassador of India, Mr Amit Das Gupta.

The DIIR Secretary thanked Rev. Ft.  Jim Thomas, Society of Jesus, who organised the visit most successfully. It was facilitated by The Office of Tibet, Japan.