Dharamshala: - A group of Mongolian media delegation is currently on a visit to the Tibetan community in Himalyan town of Dharamshala. The visit was organised by the Office of Tibet for East Asia based in Tokyo and Telo Rinpoche, the spiritual head of Kalmykia republic.
The delegation comprised representatives from Mongolian TV and radio services and newspapers arrived in Dharamshala, on April 24, according to the Central Tibetan Administion (CTA).
They visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPIE) today and met Speaker Penpa Tsering. The Speaker briefed them about the democratisation of the Tibetan community in exile and the functions of the Tibetan Parliament.
The delegation also visited the Department of Information & International Relations (DIIR). Mr Tashi Phuntsok, secretary of DIIR offered them greetings from the Central Tibetan Administration for visiting Dharamsala.
'Tibet and Mongolia shared centuries old historical ties when their powerful empires held sway across Asia, including China,' Mr Tashi told the delegation while briefing about the evolution and functions of CTA.
Both Tibet and Mongolia have faced political vicissitudes, he said adding, but the political situation will change. He said the Mongolian students studying in Tibetan religious, cultural and educational institutions in exile symbolises the continuation of the hundreds of old priest-patron relationship between Tibet and Mongolia.
He explained the delegation the CTA came into being following China's invasion of Tibet in 1950 and the coming into the exile of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and over 85,000 Tibetans in 1959.
Secretary Tashi also said CTA aims to restore freedom in Tibet and rehabilitate Tibetan refugees in exile. He said Tibetan seek to restore freedom in Tibet through its commitment to democracy and non-violence and engaging in dialogue with the Chinese government to resolve the issue of Tibet within the framework of China's constitution.
The rehabilitation includes promoting education among the exile population, building a firm culture of democracy, and paving the way for self-reliance in the Tibetan community, he said.
'The Tibetan administration has evolved into a complete democratic institution on a par with the international standard with the devolution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's political responsibility to the democratically-elected Tibetan leadership in 2011,' further added.
He said Tibetan people's truthful and non-violent struggle for freedom and dignity will eventually succeed, adding that the world trends have proved that.
Mr Tashi on behalf of the CTA appealed to the media delegation to let the Mongolian people know about the issue of Tibet.
They also met Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected leader of the Tibetan and political successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and DIIR Kalon Dicki Chhoyang on 25 April.
The delegation will visit Tibetan educational, religious and cultural institutions in Dharamshala after an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 26 April.