(TibetanReview.net, Sep01’24) – A delegation of the Tibet Support Group of Arunachal Pradesh (TSGAP), led by its president Mr Tarh Tarak, has called on former executive head Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, of the Central Tibetan Administration at the state guesthouse in the state capital Itanagar on Aug 31. He is in the city for a four-day visit beginning Aug 30, reported arunachaltimes.in Sep 1 and others.
On Sep 1, Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, a distinguished scholar of Tibetan Buddhism, is to give a teaching on the Three Higher Trainings and Ways to Practice them (bslab pa gsum) at the Buddhist Gompa Itanagar, reported arunachal24.in Aug 31.
During the meeting, Rinpoche expressed hope that the “BJP-led government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu will be performing best for greater interest of the people of Arunachal Pradesh and will be extending support for the Tibetan cause,” the reports said.
Prof Rinpoche was stated to have commented the TSGAP for its continued support to the Tibetan cause and urged it for long-term policies on Tibet issues.
He has also stressed on the need to generate awareness among the younger generation on Tibet and the Tibetan issues, “so that it can carry forward the Tibetan cause.”
TSGAP was established in 2013 under the aegis of the Core Group for Tibetan Cause India, an umbrella group for Tibet support groups across India.
Tarak has assured Rinpoche that the TSGAP will support the Tibetan freedom struggle “with its best effort,” work for the basic welfare of the Tibetan community residing in Arunachal Pradesh, and organise a series of awareness programmes about Tibetans and the Tibet issues.
TSGAP vice president Mr Hinium Tachu has also stressed on freedom of Tibet from the People’s Republic of China.
Earlier, on his arrival in the state capital on Aug 30, Rinpoche was stated to have been welcomed to the state guest house by a team led by TSGAP, joined by the Itanagar Buddhist Culture Society, Tuting Memba Welfare Society, Khamba Welfare Society, Mon Mimang Tsokpa, and other dignitaries.
Prof Samdhong Rinpoche has already been touring Arunachal Pradesh before arriving in Itanagar. On Aug 12, Chief Minister Pema Khandu led a procession to welcome him for his teaching at the request of Sherab Sangpo Society Mon in Jang sub-division of Tawang District. Mon refers to the region of the state’s Tawang and West Kameng districts.
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China calls Arunachal Pradesh Zangnan (south or southern Tibet) and therefore part of its territory on the basis of its armed annexation of Tibet in the middle of the last century. It does not have any support in the state for its claim, but expresses strong protests whenever any top Indian leader or the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exile spiritual leader, visits it.
US president Joe Biden on Jul 12 signed into law the “Resolve Tibet Act” passed by the two houses of the US Congress with super-majority votes. The Act calls China’s annexation of Tibet illegal under international law, rejects it claims of Tibet being part of it since ancient times false, and urges a negotiated solution to the Himalayan territory’s legal status.
Prof Rinpoche’s visit is relevant in view of Resolve Tibet Act, 2024, which aims to promote a peaceful resolution to Tibet-China dispute according to international law and the United Nations Charter through peaceful dialogue without preconditions and empower the international community to stand up for justice and peace in Tibet, noted arunachalobserver.org Sep 1.