By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, October 23: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan PM Lobsang Sangay and the Tibetan Parliament in Exile have congratulated the new prime minister-elect of Canada, Justin Trudeau, who won the recently concluded elections.
His Holiness, in his letter congratulated the son of former Canadian PM, Pierre Trudeau (Late), said, “I am sure it would be a source of pride to his late father that, following in his footsteps. I wish Mr. Trudeau every success.”
The 80-year old leader also stated that during his visits to Canada over many years he has been touched by the affection and friendship shown to him by Canadians from all walks of life.
“Canada has extended a warm welcome to Tibetan refugees for resettlement on humanitarian grounds from the early 1970s onwards, a generous gesture for which we remain grateful,” wrote the 80 year old Tibetan leader.
Tibetan PM who has swept the preliminary elections, said, “I also wish to thank your party for endorsing the Tibet cause during the election campaign and encouraging the Chinese government to engage with the Tibetan political leadership in a spirit of constructive dialogue. As you have rightly pointed out, dialogue, not confrontation, is the key to resolving the critical situation in Tibet.
“I am grateful for the people and Government of Canada for their support to the Tibetan people by facilitating the immigration of up to 1000 Tibetans living in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. I look forward to your continued support on the issue of Tibet so as to resolve the critical situation prevailing inside Tibet,” he added.
Similarly, Speaker Penpa Tsering of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile also congratulated the 43-year old leader on behalf of all the Tibetan people, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile for his and his party’s victory in the elections.
“It’s great to see you in the footstep of your late father on the same position and we hope you will take your country to a higher level,” he said.
“We have been very appreciative of your party’s support for the cause of Tibet and for His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” the Speaker added.
He also expressed his sincere gratitude for the government and the people of Canada for their support towards Tibetan people by rendering immigration facilities for the Tibetans living in Arunachal Pradesh.
“We wish you all the success in your endeavors and hope you will continue to play a pro-active role in reducing the current grave situation inside Tibet and in finding a lasting solution to the issue of Tibet based on the mutually beneficial Middle Way Approach of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Administration-in-Exile,” he said.
