A day before the Tibetan National Uprising day around 40 members of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress gathered to commemorate the Independence of Tibet at the Viceregal Lodge, where the famous Anglo-Sino-Tibetan Simla Conference of 1913-1914 was held. A formal function was held at the historic meeting hall where the representatives of Independent Tibet including Lonchen Gaden Shatra Paljor Dorje once sat with the representative of British (India) and China to settle their disputes. The members shouted noisy slogans after singing the Tibetan National Anthem and Tibetan Uprising Song. A brief prayer meeting was also held for the early realization of the Tibet’s Independence.
Addressing the gathering Mr. Tsering Dhundup, PRO, Tibetan Youth Congress Nullified China’s Claim of Tibet and stated that Tibet had, like any other sovereign country, “executed treaties and maintained diplomatic relations with its neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Ladakh, Kashmir and Great Britain. From the contemporary Tibetan history the 1914 Shimla Agreement stand out for the then British Empire’s recognition of Tibet’s independence and denial to China of even nominal suzerainty over Tibet.”
The tripartite conference which went on for several months concluded with the preparation of draft agreement. Because the Chinese plenipotentiaries headed by Mr. Monsieur Ivan Chen refused to sign it, the British entered into a direct agreement with Tibet in 1914. The British Plenipotentiary Sir Henry McMahon recognized the traditional and historical frontier, which coincided generally with the claims put forward by Lonchen Shatra (the Tibetan plenipotentiary) and even today any objective study of available documents will inevitably point to Tibet’s independent status in the past.
RTYC Shimla is also going to commemorate the 48th Anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising by carrying out a procession rally walking by around 13 kms across the city shouting anti-China slogans. This year’s procession will also witness the participation of more than 50 indian supporters from various support groups including Rashtriya Swem Sevak Sangh, Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society and Bharat-Tibet Sahyog Manch. The replica of Chinese brutalities in Tibet will also be displayed on a van.
The Shimla Agreement of 1914 is one of the several documentary evidences in support of Tibet’s independence that far outweigh China’s proof of its claim over Tibet.
For further information contact:
Mr. Tsering Dhundup, PRO, TYC: +91-9816446314
Mr. Tashi Topgyal, General Secretary, RTYC Shimla: +91-9816467132
