Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, May 1: President Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) held a series of high-level meetings with senior United States lawmakers in Washington, D.C., this week to reinforce bipartisan support for the Tibetan cause and to press for the prompt appointment of a US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues—an influential diplomatic role that has remained vacant under the current administration.
As part of his official visit, President Tsering met with key members of Congress, including Representative Michael McCaul, former Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and his successor, Representative Brian Mast, the current Chair. In these meetings on Capitol Hill, President Tsering emphasized the importance of structured and sustained support for Tibet, particularly amid evolving global geopolitical dynamics.
According to the official CTA website tibet.net, he drew attention to the impact of recent US funding cuts on Tibetan resilience programs and stressed the long-term benefits these initiatives offer—not only for the Tibetan people but also in advancing soft power values shared by democratic nations.
A key focus of the discussions was the vacant position of the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the State Department. President Tsering urged the administration to prioritize the appointment and proposed that the role be placed directly under the purview of the Secretary of State, citing its strategic significance in advancing dialogue, monitoring human rights, and shaping US Tibet policy.
President Tsering also raised concerns about ongoing challenges faced by Tibetan-language services of Radio Free Asia (RFA), Voice of America (VOA), and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), organizations he described as vital for amplifying Tibetan voices on the global stage. He highlighted continued repression inside Tibet and underscored the region’s growing geostrategic importance.
In his meeting with Representative Mast, President Tsering formally extended an invitation to attend the upcoming 90th birthday celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As a gesture of gratitude, he presented the Congressman with a signed copy of Voice for the Voiceless.
President Tsering’s visit to the US is part of a month-long official tour of North America, during which he has engaged with a wide range of senior officials and policy leaders. These include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a long-time advocate for Tibet; Representative Young Kim, a steadfast supporter of the Tibetan cause; and Damon Wilson, President of the National Endowment for Democracy, among others.
