DHARAMSALA, Nov 21: For the first time in six decades, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) president Lobsang Sangay has entered the White House -- a historic recognition by the United States to the democratically elected government-in-exile that is headquartered in this north Indian hill station.
This is for the first time that the head of the CTA has been invited into the White House, a spokesperson for the CTA told IANS on Saturday.
Last month, Sangay became the first CTA president to be formally invited into the US State Department to meet Assistant Secretary and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Robert Destro.
In the last six decades, the head of the CTA was denied entry to the US State Department and the White House; the logic for both denials was that the US government did not recognize the Tibetan government in exile.
"Today's visit amounts to an acknowledgement of both the democratic system of the CTA and its political head," said the spokesperson.
Prior to this meeting, Sangay had met the White House officials in undisclosed meetings and locations over a dozen times in the past 10 years since he became the CTA's president in 2011.
This unprecedented meeting perhaps will set an optimistic tone for CTA participation with US officials and be more formalized in the coming years, said the CTA.
Though he nears the end of his second consecutive term as the CTA president, Sangay has tirelessly advocated for the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019.
Earlier this week, Sangay had several virtual meetings. Through meetings, Sangay has discussed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act and other matters with the Congressional-Executive Commission on China Chairman Jim McGovern and senior Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffers, both on the Republican and Democrat side. - IANS
