Dharamshala, 4 March : A Four-member delegation from the French Senate’s Tibet Group concluded today its week-long visit to Dharamshala, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration.
The delegation consisted of Senator Michel Raison, President of the Tibet Group, Senator Andre Gattolin, and Senator Annick Billon, both Vice Presidents of the Tibet Group along with Mr Thierry Munier, the Administrative Secretary.
During their sojourn in Dharamshala, the delegation participated in the 10 March Tibetan National Uprising day commemoration and the first Tibetan Women’s Day celebration on 12 March.
The group also met His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of Tibetan People, and the Speakers of the Tibetan Parliament in exile. The Kashag (cabinet) of the Central Tibetan Administration honoured the visiting delegation with a welcome dinner.
They held discussions with the Secretaries of the Department of Information and International Relations and Director of the Tibetan Policy Institute. During the meetings, they discussed wide range of issues concerning Tibetan people’s struggle for freedom including the Middle Way approach and the environmental significance of Tibet to the world at large.
The delegation, during their stay, had the chance to visit different Tibetan cultural, educational institutes and closely witnessed the democratic functioning of the Tibetan people in exile. The delegation also held discussions with the Tibetan non governmental organisations.
The French Senators were all praise for the achievements of the Tibetans in exile, whether in terms of leading the Tibetan struggle or the preservation of rich Tibetan cultural heritage.
“The visit renewed our commitment and determination to continue and strengthen our support for the just cause of Tibet”, Senator Michel Raison affirmed on behalf of the delegation.
The delegation arrived in Dharamshala on 9 March. The visit was coordinated by the Bureau du Tibet, Paris and its Secretary Mr. Tsering Dhondup accompanied the delegation to Dharamshala.
French Senate Tibet Group, officially known as the International Group for Information on Tibet, has 22 members representing almost all the political parties. It was created in 1988.
The delegation with Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay.
The delegation with Secretary Sonam Norbu Dagpo and Secretary Dhardon Sharling of Department of Information and International Relations, CTA.
The delegation with Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
The delegation with Director of Tibet Policy Institute, Thubten Samphel and Researcher Tempa Gyaltsen.