Talk Session “Why Tibet Matters” Illuminates St. Joseph’s University Students on Tibet’s Geopolitical Significance and Current Issues
Bengaluru: The Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) hosted an insightful talk session at St. Joseph’s University coordinated by the North-East and Tibetan Students Forum and the International Student Union at Xavier’s Hall, PG Block. The event titled “Why Tibet Matters and the Human Rights Situation in Tibet” drew attention to Tibet’s critical importance in regional and global contexts.
Dukthen Kyi, Deputy Secretary and Head of the Tibet Advocacy Section at DIIR, shared a deeply moving personal story of her escape from Tibet at a very young age, crossing the Himalayan mountains, a journey shared by many thousands of Tibetans. Her talk provided an introduction to the Central Tibetan Administration and its functioning, followed by a detailed overview of the current human rights situation in Tibet. Key issues discussed included the colonial boarding schools in Tibet, the ongoing disappearance of the Panchen Lama, arbitrary arrests and detention of Tibetans, and religious repression with forced closure and demolition of Tibetan schools and Buddhist education Institutes under the Chinese Communist Party’s rule.
Dechen Palmo, a researcher at the Environment and Development Desk of the Tibet Policy Institute, delivered an insightful talk on “The Impact of Geopolitical Relations Between India and China on the Hydro Politics of the Brahmaputra River.” She highlighted Tibet’s strategic role as a buffer state between the two nations, noting that with the invasion of Tibet, India now shares a direct border with China, complicating both territorial and hydropolitical issues. Dechen also emphasised how China is leveraging the Brahmaputra River as a tool in its geopolitical strategy, which has significant implications for India’s water security and regional stability.
The talk session was attended by students and faculty from International Studies, the Department of English, the NorthEast and Tibetan Student Forum (NETSF) Council, and other students and faculty from other departments concluded with an engaging Q&A session. Showing keen interest in the issues of deliberation, the students raised a series of pertinent questions regarding the ongoing situation in Tibet, Tibetans in the diaspora, and India’s role in the Tibetan Freedom movement.
Along with the speakers, a team from the DIIR consisting of Tsetan Dolma and Rinchen, Office Assistants from the Tibet Advocacy Section, partook in the session. Following this event, the team will continue their engagements at Jain University, VET First Grade College, Surana College, and Christ University over the next two days.
-Filed by Tibet Advocacy Section, DIIR, CTA
