Washington D.C.: On 5 May 2025 (EDT), Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration met with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, a longstanding advocate for Tibetan rights and lead sponsor of the bipartisan Resolve Tibet Act of 2024. Senator Merkley reaffirmed his commitment to the Tibetan cause and stressed the importance of renewed and peaceful Sino-Tibetan dialogue. He also expressed concern over the worsening human rights conditions in Tibet, specifically referencing China’s colonial boarding school system, which he said remains a focus of Congressional human rights hearings.
In response, Sikyong highlighted reports of military style training and colonial boarding school imposed on Tibetan children as part of China’s effort to erase Tibetan identity. Senator Merkley assured that Tibetans inside Tibet are not forgotten. Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), also attended the meeting and invited the Senator to the Capitol Hill celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday on 25 June this year. Following this, Sikyong held informal discussions with Bob Ankerson and Nyima of The Tibet Fund and Anjali Kaur of USAID.
On 6 May, Sikyong met with eight senior officials from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA), and East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP). He briefed them on current developments in Tibet and the Central Tibetan Administration’s diplomatic outreach. When asked about China’s efforts to lay the groundwork for appointing a successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sikyong asserted that such attempts will not succeed. Officials responded with interest, acknowledging the seriousness of the issues raised. While no specific commitments were made, the overall discussion was constructive and left room for cautious optimism.
Sikyong also met with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, accompanied by Representative Namgyal Choedup of the Office of Tibet. This was followed by a lunch meeting with staff of International Campaign for Tibet. Sikyong then proceeded to a meeting with U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Congressman Meeks conveyed strong support for Tibet, stating that the words of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama are “more vital now than ever.” He emphasised the bipartisan nature of support for the Tibetan cause and encouraged its continuation. Sikyong underlined the strategic importance of Tibet and stressed that recent funding cuts threaten to undermine longstanding U.S. support for Tibetan programs. He also raised the importance of appointing a Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.
Sikyong then proceeded to the Russell Senate Office Building for a meeting with Senator Ted Cruz and his staff. Senator Cruz reaffirmed his support for the Tibetan people. Sikyong stressed the importance of maintaining broadcasts by Radio Free Asia (RFA) and Voice of America (VOA), which remain critical sources of information for Tibetans inside Tibet. Representative Namgyal Choedup stressed on how cuts to these services risk ceding the information space to Chinese state propaganda, who will fill the vacuum.
Sikyong concluded the day with a meeting at the Office of Tibet with Shraddha Kharel Pandey, Director of International Technical Assistance of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Sikyong’s visit to Washington, D.C. remains tightly packed with back to back meetings with key members of the U.S. Congress whose influence could significantly impact the Tibetan cause. The ongoing outreach by Sikyong and his team reflects a strategic effort to consolidate bipartisan support, with several high level engagements scheduled to continue in the days ahead.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering and the Tibetan delegation with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, the original sponsor of the Resolve Tibet Act at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering with Senator Lindsey Graham at Russell Senate Office.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, accompanied by staff from the Office of Tibet, D.C. and International Campaign for Tibet, with U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering with U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks,
Sikyong Penpa Tsering met with Senator Ted Cruz
