Tibetans living in exile thank Barack Obama for hosting Dalai Lama

Expressing gratitude to the US for supporting the "genuine cause" of Tibetan people, the Tibetan 'parliament-in-exile' has thanked President Barack Obama for meeting the Dalai Lama at the White House, despite objections from the Chinese government.

"On behalf of Tibetans in and outside Tibet, the Tibetan parliament-in-exile sincerely express our heartfelt gratitude to Your Excellency for welcoming and meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 15th June at the White House, despite strong objections from the Chinese Government and the Orlando tragedy," Speaker of the 16th Tibetan 'parliament-in-exile', Khenpo Sonam Tenphel said in a statement yesterday.

He said the Tibetan people were grateful to the US for encouraging dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Chinese authorities to lower tensions and resolve differences. "We are immensely grateful for your continued support to our 'Middle Way Approach' and for encouraging meaningful and direct dialogue between the Dalai Lama and his representatives with Chinese authorities to lower tensions and resolve differences.

"We are thankful for you and your administration's expressions of concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet, preservation of our unique culture and protection of fragile environment of Tibet plateau," he added. He thanked the US administration for "supporting the genuine cause of the Tibetan people".