Dharamshala, 20 March 2026: Chaired by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the fifth day of the Budget Session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile began at 9:30 AM, with the continuation of discussion and approval of the budgets of the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI).
Discussions regarding the budget of the TPI encompassed a wide range of its activities and outputs. These included a query on its publications on policy and environmental issues, an assessment of the number of researchers associated with the institute, and a review of the nature and scope of its research papers. In addition, attention was given to its broader academic and outreach efforts, such as the organization of various panel discussions, as well as its initiative to develop a detailed map of Tibet through the compilation and preservation of original place names.
The sessions after the morning break were chaired by Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, the proposed budgets for 2026-2027 for various Tibetan offices were discussed and sanctioned, including the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Delhi), Indo-Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) in Delhi, Office of Tibet, Washington DC; Tibetan Community Development Fund (TCDF); Tibet Bureau, Geneva; the Office of Tibet, London; and the Tibet House Trust, London.
Likewise, the proposed budgets of Tibet Information Office, Canberra; Tibetan Cultural Centre Limited, Australia; Liaison Office of the H.H. the Dalai Lama, Tokyo; the Japan Tibet House Trust; the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office, Kathmandu; and the Tibetan Culture and Information Centre, Moscow, were also approved.
The house commended the overall work of the Offices of Tibet (OoTs) while also raising concerns about the challenges involved in renewing and applying for the Identity Certificate (IC), a travel document issued by the Indian government to Tibetan refugees. It noted that the process has become increasingly time-consuming, creating difficulties for many Tibetans.
Additionally, discussions covered topics such as the growing interest among youth in Tibetan Gorshey (circle dance), the need to establish an Office of Tibet (OoT) in Canada, ways to encourage Tibetan artists in the West who are working to preserve and promote Tibetan culture, and significance of Tibetan weekend schools. Kalon of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) provided necessary clarifications in response to queries raised during the session.
Discussion on the budget of the Bureau du Tibet, Brussels, remains open for the next seating.
The session adjourned at 5:00 PM until the following day.
– Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat
