Sikyong Addresses Tibetan Community in Hunsur Rabgyaling Settlement on His Second Leg of Official Visitations.

Hunsur: As part of his official engagements in Hunsur, Sikyong Penpa Tsering convened Tibetan residents of the Rabgyaling Tibetan Settlement at community hall on 19 February 2025 and addressed the gathering. It was attended by various local Tibetan leaders and representatives, including Settlement Officer Norbu Tsering, the President of the Local Tibetan Assembly, Abbots of the local monasteries, and representatives from other Tibetan organisations.

During his address, Sikyong emphasised the importance of unity and the preservation of Tibetan culture. He discussed the Central Tibetan Administration’s twin goals: resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict through the Middle Way Approach and ensuring the welfare of Tibetans in exile. He commended both the proponents of Middle Way and Rangzen ideologies for their commitment to resolving the long-standing Tibet China conflict while imploring the community to prioritise unity over divisiveness, which he said weakens the Tibetan struggle.

Sikyong also stressed the importance of maintaining good relations with local Indians and reminded the community that, as refugees, they must respect India’s laws and values, acknowledging the country’s support for Tibetans over the decades. For that matter, he emphasised the importance of adhering to the laws and values of all host nations, as Tibetans are refugees in these countries and must reflect their gratitude through respectful conduct.

Apart from that, Sikyong praised the involvement of Tibetan youth in advocacy efforts, particularly through initiatives like the Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group (V-TAG). He noted that many young Tibetans, equipped with multilingual skills, are actively involved in lobbying, awareness campaigns, and grassroots activism. He encouraged them to continue using their energy and skills to advance the Tibetan cause on the global stage.

Sikyong also highlighted the growing importance of scholarly research on Tibet, particularly works such as Tibet Brief 20/20 by legal experts Michael Van Walt Van Praag and the works of Professor Lau. He emphasised the role of such studies in strengthening Tibet’s case internationally, urging Tibetans to engage with this research to deepen their understanding of Tibet’s historical and legal status.

At the conclusion of the event, Dawa Tenzin, President of the Local Tibetan Assembly, delivered closing remarks, expressing gratitude to Sikyong and the community for their active participation.