Dharamshala: On 8 May 2025, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration held an official meeting with U.S. Representative Joe Wilson at the latter’s congressional office. During the meeting, Congressman Wilson conveyed profound admiration for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, describing him as a source of inspiration. In the course of their dialogue, Sikyong proposed the introduction of a congressional resolution to honour the global legacy of His Holiness on the occasion of his forthcoming 90th birth anniversary. Representative Wilson expressed his support for the initiative and affirmed his willingness to advance such a resolution in Congress.
In addition to the matter of the proposed resolution, Sikyong and his accompanying delegation—which included staff from the Office of Tibet, Washington, D.C., and the International Campaign for Tibet—raised a number of other pressing concerns related to recent budget cuts and the Tibetan cause. Congressman Wilson responded affirmatively, assuring the delegation of his continued support. He also offered words of encouragement, invoking the power of persistence by remarking, “We have seen good occur in the world due to persistence,” thereby underscoring the importance of steadfast advocacy.
Subsequently, Sikyong and his team engaged in a substantive exchange with Elliott Abrams at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C. Abrams, a senior figure in American foreign policy, previously held the position of Deputy National Security Advisor under President George W. Bush and later served as U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela. During the meeting, Sikyong briefed Abrams on his recent engagements and developments concerning the Tibetan cause. In response, Abrams offered commendations and provided strategic suggestions, notably stressing the irreplaceable role of Tibetans in leading international outreach efforts. He emphasised that Tibetan voices, rooted in personal experience and emotional investment, carry unique authenticity and moral force that are indispensable to effective advocacy.
On 9 May 2025, Sikyong concluded his official visit to the U.S. capital following a series of high-level meetings with lawmakers from both major political parties. He was accompanied by Representative Namgyal Choedup of the Office of Tibet, Washington, D.C., as he departed for New York to participate in a meeting with the Board of the Tibet Fund.
Sikyong will now continue his official visit to the United States with a stop in Amherst, where he is expected to meet and engage with members of the local Tibetan community.
