SOURCE: AFI
Lobsang Sangay, the Sikyong (political leader) of the Tibetan government-in- exile, expressed skepticism about China’s plans to deploy Tibetan recruits in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) near the Indian border.
Sangay believes that Tibetan soldiers forced to join the PLA would likely defect to the Indian side due to their cultural and ethnic ties with India. He questioned the level of trust PLA officers would have in Tibetan troops, especially those coerced into service.
Sangay referenced the Indian security forces’ successful performance in Ladakh, where they forced the Chinese to retreat several years ago. This example, he suggests, showcases the potential effectiveness of a motivated force.
Commenting on former US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit with the Dalai Lama, Sangay interpreted it as a sign of strong American support for the Tibetan cause. He also agreed with Pelosi’s statement that Chinese leader Xi Jinping would be forgotten by history, contrasting him with the Dalai Lama’s enduring legacy.
Sangay viewed Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Pelosi’s delegation as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the Tibetan people. He believes it sends a powerful message to China.