DHARAMSHALA, India (AP) — A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation met with the Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamshala, India, on Wednesday. This sparked anger in China, which views the exiled leader as a dangerous separatist.
The high-level delegation, led by Republican Rep. Michael McCaul and Democratic former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi arrived a day earlier in the hill town, where the Nobel Peace Prize winner has made his headquarters since fleeing Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. India considers Tibet part of China, although it hosts Tibetan exiles.
The meeting with the spiritual leader is expected to focus on the Resolve Tibet Act, which was recently passed by the US Congress and aims to encourage dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Chinese officials, which could result in a peaceful resolution for the Tibet-Beijing dispute. The bill now heads to the White House President Joe Biden‘s approval.
The visit comes as the US and China have intensified talks in recent months in an effort to normalize strained ties. But news of the visit and the subject of the bill prompted a swift response from China.
After arriving Tuesday, the U.S. delegation met with officials from the Tibetan government-in-exile, which wants greater autonomy for Tibet.
Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday at a monastery just outside the 88-year-old Dalai Lama’s home where the rally took place, waving American and Tibetan flags in support.
China does not recognize the Tibetan government in exile and has not engaged in dialogue with the Dalai Lama’s representatives since 2010.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, McCaul emphasized the importance of the bill, which he said shows that “the United States of America stands with the people of Tibet.”
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, urged Washington not to support Tibetan independence and said the White House “must not sign the bill into law” or Beijing will take “resolute measures” without explaining what these measures might be. .
“It is known to all that the 14th Dalai Lama is not a purely religious figure, but a political exile who is engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the guise of religion,” Lin added on Tuesday, speaking to the US side urged “to have no contact with the Dalai group in any form, and stop sending the wrong signal to the world.”
The Dalai Lama denies being a separatist and says he only supports substantial autonomy and protection of Tibet’s indigenous Buddhist culture.
The Tibetan spiritual leader has a history of contacts with US officials, having met all recent US presidents – from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama – except Donald Trump, and has yet to meet Biden.
Beijing, meanwhile, has repeatedly asked the US not to interfere in Tibetan affairs and has argued that the Tibetan people have enjoyed social stability and economic growth under its rule.
The Dalai Lama is expected to travel to the US on Thursday for medical treatment on his knees, but it is unclear whether he will meet officials there.
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AP writers Krutika Pathi in New Delhi and Didi Tang in Washington contributed reporting.
