India Reaffirms Dalai Lama's Revered Status Amid High-Profile US Delegation Visit

India reaffirms respect for the Dalai Lama as a revered spiritual leader, coinciding with a high-level US Congressional delegation visit to discuss regional security and economic cooperation.

India has reiterated its respect and reverence for the Dalai Lama, highlighting his significant role as a spiritual leader. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), emphasized that the Dalai Lama is deeply respected by the Indian people and enjoys full freedom to conduct his religious and spiritual activities. This statement was made during a weekly briefing in response to queries about India's stance on the succession of the Dalai Lama.

Jaiswal's comments underscore the longstanding respect India has for the Dalai Lama, who has been residing in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959. The Dalai Lama's presence in India has been a point of contention with China, which views him as a separatist. However, India continues to provide him with a safe haven, allowing him to continue his religious and spiritual teachings.

In recent diplomatic engagements, a high-level United States Congressional delegation visited India from June 16 to 20. The delegation, led by Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, included former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other prominent US Representatives such as Gregory Meeks, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Nicole Malliotakis, Ami Bera, and Jim McGovern. They visited Dharamshala, the Dalai Lama's residence, on June 18 and 19.

During their visit, the delegation met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. These meetings underscored the ongoing bilateral exchanges and strategic dialogues between India and the United States, focusing on regional security, economic cooperation, and other areas of mutual interest.

The visit of the US Congressional delegation coincided with the US Congress passing the 'Resolve Tibet Act,' urging Beijing to re-engage with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders for a peaceful resolution of their dispute over the governance of Tibet. This Act reflects the US's support for the Tibetan cause and its push for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing issue.

India's reaffirmation of the Dalai Lama's revered status and the high-profile visit of the US delegation highlight the ongoing importance of the Dalai Lama in international diplomatic discussions and the strategic interests of both India and the United States in the region.