Central Tibetan Administration Mourns The Demise of Former Kalon Tashi Wangdi

Dharamshala: The Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) is deeply saddened by the passing of former Kalon (Minister) Tashi Wangdi, who departed this life at the age of 78 in Ottawa, Canada, on 1 May 2025.

Kasur Tashi Wangdi was a towering figure in the Tibetan freedom struggle in exile and a steadfast pillar of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Born in Tibet and forced into exile as a child following the Chinese occupation, he dedicated his entire life to the service of the Tibetan people and the Tibetan cause.

Throughout his decades-long career, he embodied a rare blend of principled leadership, humility, and unwavering commitment—deeply inspired by his reverence for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his dedication to the Tibetan community.

His passing leaves a profound void in the Tibetan movement and in the hearts of all who knew him. Yet his legacy—defined by service, sacrifice, and statesmanship—will continue to guide and inspire future generations.

The Department extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of sorrow.

This afternoon at the Department of Security, Officiating Sikyong Dolma Gyari held a press conference to convey heartfelt condolences on behalf of CTA to the bereaved family members.

During the press conference, the Officiating Sikyong also addressed the absence of an official customary prayer service by the CTA leadership and staff. She explained that, in accordance with the late Kasur’s final wishes—relayed by a relative of his wife—he had specifically requested that no such service be held, as he did not want to disrupt the working hours of the CTA. “This reflects the kind of selfless and dedicated person he was—always putting the cause and the community above himself,” added Kalon Dolma Gyari.

Brief Bio: Kasur Tashi Wangdi was born on 15 April 1947 in Sangag Choeling, Tibet. Following the Chinese invasion, he fled into exile with his family in 1959 and was among the first batch of Tibetan children selected by His Holiness the Dalai Lama from the refugee camp at Missamari in Assam to attend the newly established refugee school in Mussoorie, India. Demonstrating academic excellence from a young age, he was awarded a scholarship to study at Wynberg Allen, a private boarding school in Mussoorie. In 1968, he received a British Council scholarship through the refugee support organisation Ockenden Venture and continued his studies in the United Kingdom, ultimately earning a B.A. (Honours) in Political Science and Sociology from Durham University in 1973.

Upon his return to India in 1974, he initially joined the Department of Home as a junior officer and rose steadily through the ranks, holding numerous key positions over the decades. He served in various secretariats. Earlier, from 1966 to 1968, during a break in his academic journey, he also served in the Council for Home Affairs and the Council for Education of the Tibetan Administration as an English translator.

From the early 1980s onward, he was entrusted with multiple ministerial portfolios, including the Departments of Information & International Relations, Security, Education, Health, Home, and Religion & Culture. His tenure as a minister was marked by consistent leadership during a critical period of the Tibetan diaspora’s development and international engagement.

In addition to his ministerial responsibilities, he was appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1988 to lead the official delegation for negotiations with the Government of the People’s Republic of China. He continued to be involved in Sino-Tibetan dialogues as a member of the Task Force for negotiations, which was established in 2004. Apart from serving as the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, he also served as His Holiness’s Representative in the United States from 2005 and in Brussels from 2009, overseeing relations and conducting Tibet advocacy in Western Europe, the European Union, and North Africa (Maghreb).

Officiating Sikyong Dolma Gyari addressing the media during press conference held on 2 May 2025. Photo / Tenzin Phende / CTA

Officiating Sikyong Dolma Gyari urging Tibetans to go through the late Kasur’s autobiography that was published last year. Photo / Tenzin Phende / CTA

Cabinet Secretary Tsegyal Chukya Dranyi reading the late Kasur’s brief bio. Photo / Tenzin Phende / CTA