Tibetan community welcomes US appointment of special coordinator

The CTA expressed gratitude to the US leadership, saying it hoped the appointment would strengthen efforts to protect Tibetan religious, cultural and linguistic identity and promote dialogue on Tibet.

In a statement issued to coincide with Losar and the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse, Rubio extended greetings to Tibetans across the world. “I extend my warmest wishes to all those celebrating Losar, the Tibetan New Year. On this first day of the Year of the Fire Horse, we celebrate the fortitude and resilience of Tibetans around the world. The United States remains committed to supporting the unalienable rights of Tibetans and their distinct linguistic, cultural and religious heritage,” he said.

He added, “I wish Tibetans everywhere a healthy and prosperous year ahead. Losar Tashi Delek and Happy New Year!”

Alongside the message, Rubio announced that Riley M Barnes, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, has been designated as the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. The role involves coordinating US policies related to Tibet, including support for human rights, religious freedom and cultural preservation.

Tibet remains a sensitive issue in US-China relations. Washington has consistently voiced support for safeguarding Tibetan religious and cultural identity, while China maintains that Tibet is an internal matter.

India also closely follows developments related to Tibet as it hosts the 14th Dalai Lama and a large Tibetan exile community. The CTA operates from Dharamsala, where Losar is widely celebrated each year.

Welcoming the development, the CTA said, in line with the Tibet Policy Act and subsequent US legislations on Tibet, it hoped Assistant Secretary Barnes would spearhead efforts to promote the resumption of dialogue between the Dalai Lama or his representatives and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, protect the unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity of the Tibetan people and facilitate humanitarian programmes to support the sustainable development of the Tibetan community in exile.

The Secretary of the Directorate of International Relations, CTA, Karma Choeying, said, “We are grateful to President Donald J Trump and Senator Marco Rubio for this important appointment and congratulate Assistant Secretary Riley M Barnes on his new role as the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.

“The people and the Government of the United States have been among the strongest supporters of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan cause and we have consistently received bipartisan support in the US Congress,” he added.