Nancy Pelosi To Visit Dharamshala Next Week After US Congress Passes Bill Urging China To Resolve Tibet Dispute

Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, is set to travel to Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Her visit, beginning next week, follows the recent passage of a bipartisan bill by the US House aimed at bolstering support for Tibet and fostering dialogue between the People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama towards a peaceful resolution of the longstanding Tibet-China dispute.

The bill, introduced by U.S. Representatives Jim McGovern and Michael McCaul, along with Senators Jeff Merkley and Todd Young, has received welcome from the Tibetan government-in-exile, which was previously passed by the House of Representatives in February and the Senate in May before returning to the House due to minor amendments.

Taking to social media platform X on Thursday, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration expressed gratitude, saying, “On behalf of Tibetans in Tibet & exile, I wholeheartedly welcome the resounding passage of #ResolveTibetAct by the US Congress. This empowers 70 years of nonviolent resistance of Tibetan people, particularly those in Tibet by firmly rejecting China’s historical claims over Tibet.”

“I thank foremost Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi & the leadership of our longtime friends, Representative Jim McGovern, Chairman Michael McCaul, Senator Jeff Merkley, & Senator Todd Young as well as the members of US Congress for passing the bill with overwhelming majority,” Tsering added.

Pelosi, A Staunch Advocate For Tibetan Cause

Pelosi has been a long-time supporter of Tibet and its people, making multiple visits to Dharamshala in the past to meet with the Dalai Lama and show her support for the Tibetan cause.

In 2008, Pelosi visited Dharamshala and met with the Dalai Lama, denouncing China’s crackdown on Tibetan protesters. She described the visit as “a challenge to the conscience of the world” and said that the United States would not relent in its campaign to protect human rights in Tibet.

Pelosi has also been involved in various legislative efforts to support Tibet, including the Tibet Policy Act of 2019, which aimed to strengthen America’s commitment to the Tibetan people and their right to safeguard their distinct identity. She has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Tibetans and has worked to hold China accountable for its oppression of the Tibetan people.

In 2024, Pelosi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, for her “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or cultural endeavors.” Her long-standing support for Tibet and its people was likely a factor in this recognition.

Dalai Lama To Visit US For Medical Treatment

Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is also is scheduled to travel to the United States this month for medical treatment on his knees. According to an official statement released on June 3, he will suspend his regular public engagements starting from June 20.

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to travel to the United States for medical treatment on his knees. Upon his return, regular engagements will resume,” his office stated.