26th Meeting of Task Force on Sino-Tibetan Negotiations Begins
DHARAMSHALA: Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay is presiding over a three-day meeting of Task Force on Sino-Tibetan Negotiations from 5 – 7 September in Dharamsala, with deliberation on and review of overall prevailing situation in Tibet and prospects of dialogue process among the core agenda.
The Task Force on Negotiations has been expanded with inclusion of six new members. The new members are former Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Kasur Lobsang Nyandak, Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary of Department of Information & International Relations, Mr Sonam Tsering Frasi, former member of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Mr Phagpa Tsering, Deputy Director of Tibet Policy Insitute and Mr Kunga Tashi, Chinese Liaison Officer, Office of Tibet, New York.
Other members present at the ongoing meeting include former Special Envoy Kasur Lodi Gyari and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen.
This is the 26th Task Force meeting since its inception and 4th meeting since Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay took leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration. Earlier three meetings were held in October 2011, June 2012 and January 2013.
The Task Force was constituted to help recommend policy matters and strategies to find a peaceful and mutually acceptable negotatiated solution to the issue of Tibet.The first Task Force meeting was held in 1999.
During the course of nine rounds of Sino-Tibetan talks since 2002, the Tibetan side has presented to the Chinese leadership a Memorandum and Note seeking genuine autonomy for Tibet as enshrined in the Chinese constitution and Law on Regional National Autonomy. The ninth round of talks was held in 2010.
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, who took over the political leadership from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2011, has unequivocally and consistently stated that Dharamsala is ready to engage in meaningful dialogue with Beijing anywhere and at anytime, adding that he considers the substance primary and the process secondary.