The US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues met the Dalai Lama and Tibetan leadership, experienced Tibetan culture and sent a message to China about US support for Tibet during her trip to Dharamsala, India last week.
Uzra Zeya visited Dharamsala May 18-19. The northern Indian town serves as the exile home of the Dalai Lama and headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration, which provides democratic governance for Tibetans living outside China’s illegal occupation of their country.
In a meeting at his residence, Zeya told the Dalai Lama: “I bring greetings from our president and from the American people, and the best wishes for your good health and our gratitude for your message of peace for the world.”
Zeya also met with Sikyong Penpa Tsering and other Tibetan leaders, civil servants, schoolchildren, monastics, artists and more.
It was her first visit to Dharamsala since becoming Special Coordinator in December 2021 amid growing momentum in US support for the Tibetan people. Zeya serves concurrently as the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights.
“Special Coordinator Zeya’s visit to Dharamsala was a boon to the Tibetan cause and the Tibetan people both inside and outside Tibet,” said Tencho Gyatso, Interim Vice President of the International Campaign for Tibet, who was in Dharamsala during Zeya’s trip.
“By meeting with His Holiness and elected Tibetan leaders, and exploring Tibetan Buddhism and culture, Zeya sent a clear message about US support for the Tibetan people’s legitimate aspirations for human rights and democratic freedoms.
“We look forward to seeing the US government build on the Special Coordinator’s visit with new initiatives to help resolve the Tibetan issue.”
