The United States Senate on Tuesday passed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA) of 2020 which guarantees decisions regarding reincarnation of the Dalai Lama are exclusively within the authority of the current Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhist leaders and Tibetan people.
President of the Tibetan Government in exile Lobsang Sangay expressed happiness over the passing of the Bill, which has now become an Act, in the US Senate.
“Great News! US Congress passes landmark Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2020,” Lobsang Sangay said.
“I have been in DC for the last 5 days closely overseeing and finally good to see efforts bearing fruit,” Sangay further said.
Tibet Policy and Support Act 2020 is part of the Appropriation Bill that had remained stuck at the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee since May 2020, but finally passed on Tuesday.
The Act has formally acknowledged the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), commonly known as Tibetan Government in exile, as the legitimate institution reflecting the aspirations of the Tibetan diaspora around the world.
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The Act has also formally recognised Lobsang Sangay as the President of the CTA.
Moreover, in a bid to promote access to Tibet, the TPSA calls for the establishment of a United States Consulate in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet.
“By passing the TPSA, Congress has sent its message loud and clear that Tibet remains a priority for the United States and that it will continue its steadfast support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the CTA. It is a momentous landmark for the Tibetan people,” CTA official website quoted Lobsang Sangay as saying.