President Dr Lobsang Sangay of the Central Tibetan Administration. (file pic)

Dharamshala: The President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr Lobsang Sangay reaffirmed Kashag’s unwavering commitment to the Middle Way Approach to resolve the Tibet issue. Speaking at the ongoing fourth session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Dr Sangay pointed out that the Kashag has promulgated the viability of the Middle Way Approach at every possible forum.
Referring to his recent international official visits, President Dr Sangay stated that it has been and will top his agenda to speak about the urgent and critical situation in Tibet, centrally propagating the Middle Way Approach and urging the support of the both the institutional and international community during his visits and engagements with government representatives.
Speaking about the upcoming 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China that is likely to bring about changes in the Chinese leadership, he urged the new leadership to review its hard-line and repressive policies on the Tibetans and address the genuine and legitimate grievances of Tibetan people. Dr Sangay called on the forthcoming Chinese leaders to formulate a liberal policy aimed at ameliorating the situation in Tibet.
With regards to Kashag’s position on self-immolations, Dr Sangay elucidated the age-old Kashag’s official position that seeks to dissuade Tibetans from self-immolating, especially Tibetans in exile. He further added that Kashag understands the aspirations of the self-immolations: seek freedom from the Chinese repression and to propagate Tibet’s cause to the world, which he added, Kashag will help amplify to garner international attention and support.
Explaining the differences in the political scenario and the situation in exile and in Tibet, Dr Sangay on behalf of the Kashag especially urged the Tibetan youth especially in exile not to take such drastic measures and to instead preserve the cultural identity and contribute substantially to the Tibetan cause.
Speaking about the need and importance of organising campaigns in exile, Dr Sangay flagged the observing of the year 2017 as the ‘Year of Campaign’ and welcomed any such initiatives from governmental organisations and non-governmental organisations as well while following the Kashag’s three principal guidelines: legal, non-violent and dignified.
President Dr Sangay also unveiled plans to observe 2018 as the ‘Thank You’ year to thank Governments and public across the globe for standing by the Tibetan people and keeping the Tibet movement alive and thriving even as it enters 60 years in exile.