Tibetan PM condemns China on multiple fronts at intellectual conclave in Goa

Tibetan PM condemns China on multiple fronts at intellectual conclave in Goa

[Monday, November 07, 2016 21:04] By Tenzin Dharpo Sikyong Lobsang Sangay addressing the 3rd India Ideas Conclave at Goa, organised by India Foundation on Nov. 5, 2016. Photo/Tibet.net DHARAMSHALA, Nov. 7: The Tibetan Prime Minister (Sikyong) on Friday denounced China for the ongoing Larung Gar’s demolition while reiterating that the reckless damming of rivers on the Tibetan plateau by China will lead to water crisis for Asia. The Tibetan PM Lobsang Sangay was speaking at the ‘3rd Indian Ideas Conclave’ in Goa. “The Chinese government should respect rights of the Tibetan people. Their basic rights should be restored. At the moment the internationally famous Larung Gar monastery is being destroyed. That kind of religious oppression should not take place,” Sangay said. Dr. Sangay reasserted Tibet’s importance in Asia when it comes to being the source of water to major parts of the continent and how China’s relentless hydroelectricity projects are impeding rivers for downstream nations. He said, “Predictably, soon wars will be fought over water and Tibet is water tower of Asia. China is facing scarcity of fresh water but the situation is worse in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, the downstream nations. Brahmaputra waters are already receding because China is building more and more dams on the Tibetan river. That’s why Tibet is vitally important for the whole of Asia.” The Tibetan leader also acknowledged India’s instrumental contribution in sustaining a respectable Tibetan existence in India, labeling the Tibetan movement as being the “true make in India”. “Today we are talking about democracy, the Tibetan people have adopted and adapted the Indian ideals of democracy in our society. We have a Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, which runs our own Tibetan settlements and schools – subsidized by the Indian government. Therefore, the Tibetan movement is actually a Made-in-India movement and it is relatively a success story, because of this great country India,” the Sikyong said. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was supposed to inaugurate the conclave with a key-note speech but was later cancelled although the Tibetan leader addressed the gathering via video link earlier.  The 3 day event which was organized by the Delhi based India Foundation was also attended by former Nepalese PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, BJP President Amit Shah, Sajjad Lone, Minister for Social Welfare, Science & Technology, Agriculture & Rural Industries, J&K, as well as former Editor-in-Chief, Times Now, Arnab Goswami, writer Taslima Nasreen and Aroon Purie, Founder- Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, India Today among others.