US official meets Dalai Lama to discuss Chinese 'human rights abuses inside Tibet'

Dalai Lama on Wednesday (Aug 21) met a Biden administration official in New York City as the India-based Tibetan spiritual leader continues withhis effort for Tibetan self-rule decades after China took territorial control over 1.2 million sq km of landmass neighbouring India.

"On August 21, 2024, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya traveled to New York City, New York for an audience with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama," US State Department said in an official statement.

The meeting takes place over a month after US President Joe Biden signed the 'Resolve Tibet Act', which enhances Washington's support for the Tibetan cause while aiming to promote dialogue between Beijing and the Dalai Lama toward a peaceful resolution of the dispute over the status and governance of the remote Himalayan region.

The actrejects false claims that Tibet has been part of China since "ancient times".

"Under Secretary Zeya was joined by Special Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for Democracy and Human Rights Kelly Razzouk," the statement added.

"During the audience, she conveyed, on behalf of President Biden, best wishes for His Holiness’s good health and reaffirmed the US commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans and supporting efforts to preserve their distinct historical, linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage," it said.

Honored to meet with His Holiness the @DalaiLama, a global figure for compassion and nonviolence. I conveyed greetings from @POTUS, wishing a smooth recovery and reaffirming the United States’ unwavering support for the Tibetan community.

Read more here: https://t.co/IKOM7b7xxE pic.twitter.com/n3XxEBCm9g — Under Secretary Uzra Zeya (@UnderSecStateJ) August 21, 2024

"Under Secretary Zeya welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s lifelong dedication to promoting nonviolence and compassion. The Under Secretary also took the opportunity to discuss with His Holiness Tibetan cultural preservation, the United States’ ongoing efforts to address human rights abuses inside Tibet, and support for resuming dialogue between the PRC and His Holiness and his representatives," the statement added.

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The 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 and came to India, where he set up the government-in-exile at Dharamsala in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

From 2002 to 2010, the Dalai Lama’s representatives and the Chinese government held nine rounds of dialogue that did not produce any concrete outcome.