LODI GYARI INFORMS INDIA OF PLANS FOR TIBETAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 000073

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS CHENGDU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/03/2015
TAGS: PREL PREF PHUM IN CH NP
SUBJECT: LODI GYARI INFORMS INDIA OF PLANS FOR TIBETAN
RESETTLEMENT IN THE US


Classified By: Ambassador David C. Mulford, Reasons 1.4 (B,D).


1. (C) On January 3, the Dalai Lama's Special Representative
Lodi Gyari told Ambassador Mulford that he had briefed MEA
Joint Secretary (East Asia) Ashok Kantha that same day on
Dharamsala's intention to relocate 10,000 Tibetan refugees
from India and Nepal to the US. He emphasized that he had
spoken to the GOI "informally," with the understanding that
the US wanted to raise this issue with New Delhi separately.
He mentioned only Dharamsala's wish to explore the
possibility of resettlement to the US, but said he did not
discuss US thoughts on the matter. Gyari indicated that a
significant factor in the Tibetan Government-in-Exile's
(TGIE's) decision to pursue resettlement was Nepal's recent
push back of several Tibetan refugees and the poor economic
opportunities for Tibetan refugees in India.


2. (C) The Ambassador noted his impression that Dharamsala
had agreed not to raise the issue with the Indian government
until the US had broached the matter. Gyari said that his
intention had been "quite the opposite," remarking that "our
relationship with India is unique, we are like family." To
keep Dharamsala's plans from India would therefore be
inappropriate, he emphasized, explaining, "we do not want
India to misunderstand what we are trying to do." Gyari told
the Ambassador that he had not yet raised the issue with
Kathmandu, calling the Nepalese government "a different
matter."


3. (C) Asked how the MEA had received this information,
Gyari stated that Kantha had "taken the information very
well," acknowledging that several Tibetan settlements in
India were facing economic challenges.
MULFORD