On May 30, 2024, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, MP for Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and a former Union Minister of State for External Affairs, visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. Dr. Tharoor, who also served as the Under Secretary General of the United Nations, led a delegation that met with Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang and members of the Standing Committee and Public Accounts Committee after touring the parliament hall.
Earlier, the delegation had an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The visit to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile was facilitated by an invitation to Dr. Shashi, with parliamentarian Youdon Aukatsang accompanying them.
Dr. Tharoor and his colleagues were warmly welcomed by the Deputy Speaker, committee members, and the parliamentary secretariat staff upon arrival. They received a guided tour of the parliament hall, providing insight into its functions, followed by a meeting in the Standing Committee’s hall.
Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang expressed gratitude to Dr. Tharoor for his steadfast support of the Tibetan cause in her welcoming speech. She highlighted his engagement with Tibetan delegations during their advocacy visits to Delhi.
The Deputy Speaker urged Dr. Shashi to continue his support with the same fervor, referencing his significant presence at the 8th World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet in Washington DC in 2022. She encouraged his participation in the upcoming 9th World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet.
Dr. Tharoor emphasized the unwavering support for Tibet from the Indian government and its citizens, noting that this support transcends political affiliations. He recounted his earlier meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, where the Dalai Lama emphasized the importance of religious harmony. Dr. Tharoor highlighted the diversity of his delegation, which included members from Hindu, Muslim, and Christian backgrounds.
Reflecting on history, Dr. Tharoor recalled India’s warm reception of His Holiness and Tibetan refugees in 1959, noting the Dalai Lama’s global message of love and compassion.
Dr. Shashi Tharoor is a supporter of Tibetan rights and a member of the International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPaT), demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the Tibetan cause.
Follow for more.
