Dharamshala: A bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation led by U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, arrived in Dharamshala, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration, today for a two-day official visit from 9 -10 May 2017.
The visit is part of the delegation’s visit to India, Nepal, Germany and Belgium ‘focusing on national security, the global economy, bilateral and multilateral relations, and human rights’.
On their arrival at Dharamshala airport, the delegation was received by Mr Topgyal Tsering, Kashag Secretary, Mr Sonam Norbu Dagpo and Ms Tenzin Dhardon Sharling, Secretaries of Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), and Mr Kaydor Aukatsang, Chief Resilience Officer, CTA.
The eight-member congressional delegation met with Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, afterwards, in a private audience held at His Holiness’ residence.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the U.S. Congressional delegation led by U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, at the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 9 May 2017. Photo/OOHHDL/Tenzin Choejor
They were also received by the President of Central Tibetan Administration, Dr Lobsang Sangay at the Kashag Secretariat in Gangchen Kyishong.
“The CTA is honoured to welcome the second visit by a high-level bipartisan delegation of the U.S. Congress led by leader Nancy Pelosi to Dharamshala after nine years,” CTA President Dr Lobsang Sangay said.
Pelosi last visited Dharamshala in 2008 as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, leading a ten-member bipartisan congressional delegation to express solidarity for the Tibetan people in the aftermath of the pan Tibet uprising of that year.
Other day engagements of the delegation include meeting with Tibetan women leaders at the Cabinet Secretariat and visit to Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.
The Central Tibetan Administration is organizing a public felicitation in honor of the congressional delegation’s visit to Dharamshala and His Holiness the Dalai Lama will grace the public felicitation tomorrow on 10 May at the Tsuglagkhang temple. The public event will be streamed live on Tibet TV from 9 am onwards.
Other members of the delegation are Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (Republican, Wisconsin), Representative Eliot Engel (Democrat, New York), Representative Jim McGovern (Democrat, Massachusetts), Representative Betty McCollum (Democrat, Minnesota), Representative Judy Chu (Democrat, California), Representative Joyce Beatty (Democrat, Ohio) and Representative Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, Washington).
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the U.S. Congressional delegation led by U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, at the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 9 May 2017. Photo/OOHHDL/Tenzin Choejor