By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 19: The Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay sees cause for optimism in the recent statement by US President-elect Donald Trump on the ‘One China Policy’ saying that his remarks were “deliberate” and through “substantive research” on the issue.
Trump told Fox News recently, “I don’t know why we (US) have to be bound by a ‘One China’ policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade,” riling China in the process.
Harvard educated Sangay told Live Mint, an affiliate of national daily Hindustan Times in an interview published Dec. 19 mentioned, “That was a very bold commentary coming from president-elect Donald Trump. It looks now that his team has done research on Taiwan, that what he said was deliberate, after substantive research. Similarly, we would appreciate if he would also do something similar for Tibetan people.”
The Sikyong (Political leader) also raised hope for an early meeting between the to-be US President Donald Trump and the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama as well the opportunity to present the official stand of the exile government – the ‘Middle Way Approach’.
Sangay who is serving his second term at the helm of exile Tibetan polity also opined that, “boldness with substance is the right approach with the Chinese government.” He said that a consistent and unified effort from the Trump administration, the European Union, India, Japan, Australia as well as other governments will lead to a peaceful solution for Tibet.
Here at the seat of the Tibetan exile polity, some say that India may also be transitioning its policy towards China after the Dalai Lama visited the Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet Indian President Pranab Mukherjee. “The Indian government is formulating its policy towards China which is showing all the right trends,” Sangay told Live Mint.
