Kaydor announces 2026 Sikyong bid

Kelsang Dorjee (Kaydor) Aukatsang, the former North America Representative of the Dalai Lama, has formally announced his candidacy for the 2026 Sikyong elections of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). His declaration, released through a public statement and a detailed manifesto on his social platforms, signals a high-stakes contest at a moment he describes as “a critical juncture” for Tibetans worldwide.

Kaydor, currently the founding president of the Asia Freedom Institute and a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, said he was stepping forward with humility and a sense of duty. He warned that escalating Chinese repression inside Tibet, together with rising political polarisation within the diaspora, demands leadership that can operate confidently on the global stage. With decades of international exposure, he argues he is positioned to navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics and rally international support for Tibet’s freedom movement.

His professional record within the CTA includes key leadership roles: Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Washington, Special Adviser to former Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, Chief Resilience Officer and Director of the Social and Resource Development Fund. In the 2021 Sikyong election, he reached the final round but fell short, securing 28,907 votes.

Reflecting on that earlier campaign, Kaydor said his travels across Tibetan communities in India, Europe and North America revealed both deep resilience and mounting concern about the future. Although he had not planned to run again, he said many Tibetans urged him to re-enter the fray, believing “credible alternatives failed to emerge”.

His 2026 manifesto revolves around three priorities: rebuilding unity across generations and regions; strengthening global advocacy with a sharper “Look North” strategy aimed at countering China’s influence; and promoting self-reliance through economic diversification and stronger institutions.

His entry is the second confirmed candidacy after incumbent Sikyong Penpa Tsering. More contenders are expected, setting the stage for a competitive and closely watched election among Tibetan exiles.