China – Tibet issue: – INSIGHTSIAS

by

[ad_1]

GS Paper 2:

Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

 

China – Tibet issue:

Context:

U.S. Special Coordinator on Tibet Uzra Zeya met with the ‘Sikyong’ or leader of the self-styled Central Tibetan Administration Penpa Tsering and other officials and representatives of the Tibetan community on a public visit to Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh).

  • The visit is being seen as a strong message from the Indian government to China as well, which protests what it calls “meddling” in Tibet, as the visit was facilitated by New Delhi.

 

Where is Tibet?

Tibet is a region on the Tibetan Plateau in Asia, spanning about 2.4 million km2 – nearly a quarter of China’s territory.

  • It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups.

 

How it came to be ruled by China?

The People’s Republic of China asserts that Tibet has been a part of China since the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty.

  • In 1951 Tibetan leaders were forced to sign a treaty dictated by China.
  • The treaty, known as the “Seventeen Point Agreement”, professes to guarantee Tibetan autonomy and to respect the Buddhist religion but also allows the establishment of Chinese civil and military headquarters at Lhasa (Tibet’s capital).
  • However, the Tibetan people – including Dalai Lama – consider it invalid and as having been signed under duress.
  • This has often been described by the Tibetan people as a cultural genocide.

 

Tibetans abroad:

Over 1 lakh Tibetans are settled across India, while the remaining are settled in United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Mongolia, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland and various other countries.

 

Insta Curious:

Did you know about the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE)?

The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) has its headquarters in Dharamsala, in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

  • The 16th TPiE had 45 members representing provinces, different schools of Buddhism among others.
  • The Central Tibetan Administration exists and functions on the basis of the Constitution of the Tibetan government called ‘The Charter of the Tibetans in Exile’ (Redrafted in 1991).

What is Kashag and Sikyong? 

  • The Kashag (Cabinet) is Central Tibetan Administration’s highest executive office and comprise seven members.
  • The Sikyong is the political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration.

 

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

  1. Who is Sikyong?
  2. What is Kashag?
  3. The Charter of the Tibetans in Exile.
  4. About the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE).

Mains Link:

What is the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE)? How is it recognised? Discuss.

 

[Q.5) Which of the following are correct regarding the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE)?

    1. The Kashag is Central Tibetan Administration’s highest executive office and comprise seven members.
    2. The Sikyong is the political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration.

Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:

    1. 1 Only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both
    4. None. ]

 

Sources: the Hindu.

[ad_2]

Leave a Comment