Inaugural Session: From left to right (Lower row): Dr. Yeshi Choedon, Professor, Centre for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament (CIPOD), Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jigme Jungney, Representative, Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi, Ven. Prof. Kaveri Gill, Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University, Uttar Pradesh, Ambassador Dilip Sinha (Retd.)

New Delhi: The India Tibet Friendship Society Women Conference was inaugurated on 22 March 2025, bringing together prominent scholars, professionals, and advocates to discuss critical issues related to women’s human security, resilience, environment and climate, digital security, artificial intelligence, and identity and expression. The two-day conference was organised by the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO) and India Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS) in collaboration with knowledge partners – Centre for Youth (C4Y), Centre for Social Research (CSR), and the Institute of Social Development and Disaster Management. 

The inaugural session was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Ambassador Dilip Sinha (Retd.); Jigme Jungney, Representative of the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi; Dr. Yeshi Choedon, from the Centre for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament (CIPOD), JNU; Ven. Prof. Kaveri Gill from the Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University, Uttar Pradesh; and Jyotsna Roy, Convener of the Conference, ITFS. 

These distinguished speakers collectively underscored the strategic, historical, and humanitarian significance of Tibet – emphasising its critical impact on India’s security, regional stability, and international relations, while advocating for stronger engagement and support for the Tibetan cause. 

Representative Jigme Jungney highlighted the Tibet issue as “A matter of paramount importance to the security and stability of South East Asia, particularly India.”  

Dr. Yeshi Choedon emphasised that “Tibet lost its independence after the Battle of Chamdo (1950) and the Chinese full scale invasion of 1959, which was wrongly addressed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959 as a mere human rights issue instead of a political and national security concern”. Dr. Choedon further highlighted that “China’s infrastructure activities in Tibet now pose serious threats to regional security, climate stability, and water resources.” 

Ven. Prof. Kaveri Gill emphasised that “China has no rightful claim or role in the natural border between India and Tibet along the Himalayan belt”. She questioned “Why shouldn’t we extend a hand of friendship to our Tibetan brothers and sisters, especially when India, in the current multi-polar order, stands as the greatest nation with a legacy of historical non-aligned friendships?”  

Ambassador Dilip Sinha (Retd.) highlighted that “China’s claim of Tibet being a part of China since antiquity is false and misleading”, stating that “even China does not trust its own historical narrative”. He described the situation as a battle between policies of ignorance and indifference toward Tibet, urging that India must take up the Tibetan cause at the international level. Additionally, he emphasised the significant role of women in advancing the Tibetan cause and reminded that “Tibet, India’s largest neighbour, shares a peaceful 4000 km-long border with India”. 

Following the inaugural session, the two-day conference saw four panel sessions, each addressed unique major theme: Women’s Human Security & Resilience, Environment & Climate, Digital Security & Artificial Intelligence, and Identity & Expression. A total of 11 prominent Panellists shared their insights during the discussions. The panellists included Dr. Rajana Kumari, Director of the Centre for Social Research (CSR); Dr. Yeshi Choedon, professor from CIPOD, JNU; Dr. Amna Mirza, Academician, Author, and Social Entrepreneur; Alka Tomar, Chairperson of the Centre for Youth (C4Y), Dhondup Wangmo, Research Fellow, Tibet Policy Institute, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, Advocate Lalantika Arvind from Koan Advisory, Delhi; Dr. Indira Bahaddur, Associate Professor at Malnad College of Engineering; Anisa Draboo, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer & Co-Founder of Confluence Media; Farana Salam, PhD Scholar at Jamia Millia Islamia; Gyatri Kaushik, Performance Artist and Film Actor from Haryana; and Nangsel Sherpa, M.Phil Scholar at the Department of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics. 

The panel sessions were skilfully moderated by Dr. Rina Jha, Dr. Manasi Mishra, Head of the Research & Knowledge Management Division from Centre for Social Research (CSR), and Dr. Swati Chaola, Assistant Director, Centre for Learning and Innovative Pedagogies at JGU, Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, OP Jindal University. 

These Panels were actively participated by more than 150 participants, including 30 delegates from 9 states – Delhi, Orissa, Pondicherry, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and one Union territory. Participants also included the Tibet Policy Institute, the Women Empowerment Desk of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) president and team, Tibet Advocacy Alliance, and students from the Tibetan Youth Hostel in Delhi. The students performed traditional Tibetan dances and songs, including Tashi Sholpa dance, otherwise known as the Good luck dance, Opera (Namthar), and Yak Dance, beautifully showcasing the cultural richness of Tibet. 

On 23 March, after the fourth panel session, the discussions continued where participants engaged in group discussions and proposed recommendations. ITFS adopted resolutions urging the Government of India and civil society to support the preservation of Tibet heritage, resist Chinese aggression in the Himalayan region, and ensure better access to healthcare and social welfare for Tibetan women and children. It reaffirmed solidarity with the Tibetan freedom struggle, calling on India to recognise the “Tibetan government-in-exile” and advocate for the cause globally. The conference also emphasised the cultural and religious significance of Kailash-Mansarovar, demanding the restoration of unrestricted pilgrimage under the guidance of the Indian government and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.  

The valedictory session, held on the same day, was attended by Prof. Anand Kumar, President of ITFS; R.K. Khrimey, Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India; Advocate Susmita Hazarika, Supreme Court; Jyotsna Roy, Conference Convener; and Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator, India Tibet Coordination Office. These distinguished speakers collectively emphasised the moral, strategic, and humanitarian imperative of supporting the Tibetan cause, highlighting the historical commitment of Indian leaders, the urgent need to address human rights concerns in Tibet, and the importance of sustaining momentum through continued advocacy and solidarity. 

Shri R.K. Khrimey, Convener of the Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India (CGTC-I), emphasised the importance of sustaining the Tibet movement, stating, “The reason why we need to keep the ember of the Tibet movement alive lies in the very reason that these embers will ensure the freedom of Tibet in the coming endeavour.” Professor Anand Kumar, President of ITFS India, highlighted the need for global recognition of the Tibetan cause, asserting that “Tibetans need the world’s belief that their cause is just and righteous. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people are not refugees in India – they are honoured guests. This sentiment has been affirmed by India’s leaders over the years, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Charan Singh, Chandra Shekhar, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh, and many others.” He further pointed out that since Tibet’s subjugation by the Chinese government, India’s military expenses have significantly increased due to heightened security concerns along the Himalayan border. Jyotsna Roy mentioned that the decision to convene this Women’s Conference was made during the 9th National Conference of the India-Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS) held in Rajgir from 31 October to 1 November. Additionally, Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator of India Tibet Coordination, stressed the ongoing human rights issues in Tibet and appealed to Tibet supporters to continue their efforts, as the human rights situation in Tibet continues to deteriorate. 

The ITFS Women’s Conference effectively highlighted critical issues affecting Tibetan and Himalayan women, while emphasising the strategic, historical, and humanitarian importance of Tibet to India and beyond. The conference called for preserving Tibetan heritage, resisting Chinese aggression, and improving healthcare and welfare for Tibetan women and children. Resolutions urged India to recognise the Tibetan government-in-exile and advocate for the Tibetan cause globally, while also demanding the restoration of unrestricted pilgrimage to Kailash-Mansarovar. The valedictory session reaffirmed that Tibetans are honoured guests in India, not refugees, and stressed the need to keep the flame of the Tibetan movement alive to ensure lasting freedom and justice for the Tibetan people.  

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

Panel One themed “Women’s Human Security & Resilience” moderated by Dr. Rina Jha From left to right (Middle row): Migmar Tsamchoe, accountant, ITCO, Dr. Manasi Mishra, Dr. Rina Jha, Dr. Yeshi Choedon, Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator, ITCO, Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Director of the Centre for Social Research (CSR), Jyotsna Roy, and Dr. Amna Mirza, Associate Professor at SPM College, University of Delhi.

Panel Two themed “Environment & Climate” moderated by Dr. Manasi Mishra. From left to right (Upper row): Dhondup Wangmo, Research fellow, Tibetan Policy Institute, Dharamshala, Dr. Manasi Mishra, and Alka Tomar, Director, Centre for Youth (C4Y)

Panel Three themed “Digital Security & Artificial Intelligence” moderated by Dr. Manasi Mishra. From left to right (Last Row): Dr. Indira Bahaddur, Associate Professor, Dept. of Economics & Communication Engineering Malnad College of Engineering, Advocate Lalantika Arvind, Koan Advisory, Delhi, and Anisa Draboo, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer & Co-Founder, Confluence Media.

Panel Four theme “Identity & Expression” moderated by Dr. Swati Chawla, Assistant Director at the Centre for Learning and Innovation Pedagogies at JGU, Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, OP Jindal University. From left to right (Last row): Nangsel Sherpa, M.Phil Scholar at the Department of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics, Farana Salam, PhD Scholar, Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women’s Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Gayatri Kaushik, Performance Artist, Film Actor, Haryana.

Participants engaged in Panel Theme’s active discussions, Q & A sessions including Indian delegates from 9 states and 1 Union territory. Left to Right (Middle row): Delegates from Women Empowerment Desk, Tibet Advocacy Alliance – India, and Tibetan Women Association (TWA).

Cultural Performance by Student Council, Tibetan Youth Hostel, Rohini, New Delhi.

Valedictory Session (From left to bottom right): Prof. Anand Kumar, President, ITFS, Shri R.K.Khrimey, Convener, Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India, Advocate Susmita Hazarika, Supreme Court, Jyotsna Roy, Conference Convener, and Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator, ITCO.