DHARAMSHALA, November 8: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama congratulated fellow Nobel Peace laureate Barack Obama on his re-election to the presidency of the United States of America.

The Dalai Lama, who is currently in Japan, called President Obama’s re-election a recognition of his “earnest efforts” to live up to the hope and trust placed in him by the American public.

“When you first took office, I remember writing to you that the world places great hope in the democratic vision and leadership of the United States and that I hoped you would be able to shape a more peaceful world, bearing in mind the poverty, injustice and deprivation suffered by billions of people,” the 77-year-old Tibetan leader said. “The need to address these issues remains pressing today.”

The Dalai Lama thanked President Obama for his “steady encouragement” to the Tibetan people’s efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the problems in Tibet.

“I am very appreciative of your support for our Middle Way Approach, which I continue to believe is the best way for us to ensure a solution that is beneficial for both Tibetans and Chinese,” His Holiness said.

“Given the recently deteriorating situation in Tibet, of which the tragic series of self-immolations is a stark symptom, I hope your Administration will be able to take further steps to encourage a mutually acceptable solution.”

The Dalai Lama and President Obama last met in July 2011 at the White House.

During the meeting, President Obama underscored the importance of the protection of human rights of Tibetans in China and commended the Dalai Lama’s commitment to nonviolence and dialogue with China and his pursuit of the “Middle Way” approach.

Obama had earlier met the Dalai Lama in February 2010.