His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo: Ven Tenzin Jamphel

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Dharamshala, India — "We live in an increasingly interdependent world, which presents an opportunity to make this 21st century an era of peace and cooperation," said His Holiness the Dalai Lama in response to the recent joint pledge signed by the five recognised nuclear weapons states, asserting that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.

On January 6, 2022, His Holiness the Dalai Lama issued a statement warmly welcoming their action, following the recent signing of a joint pledge by the five recognised nuclear-weapons states affirming that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.

“As an avowed campaigner for demilitarization throughout the world and the elimination of all nuclear weapons,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote, “I firmly believe this to be a positive initiative.

“Despite many great developments that also took place, the 20th century was an era of violence that included the horrific use of nuclear weapons. It was a time during which some 200 million people are said to have been killed," His Holiness explained.

"This joint statement reflects the reality that we live in an increasingly interdependent world, and represents an opportunity to make this 21st century an era of peace and cooperation,” he added.

“It is essential that all of us, including the UN and its member nations, make concerted efforts to end the threat of nuclear weapons and dedicate ourselves towards total nuclear disarmament,” the Nobel laureate stated.

The Tibetan Spiritual leader declared that he firmly believes in the oneness of humanity and considers the well-being and security of all human beings to be of supreme importance. As such, he stated that he is convinced that when there are issues between countries, they should be resolved through dialogue in a spirit of accommodation, understanding, and diplomacy.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama ended with the observation that history provides ample evidence that violence never leads to lasting peace.