DHARAMSALA: Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama prayed as the leader of the elected goverment of Tibetans in exile was sworn in for a second term on Wednesday.
The India-based Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) — condemned by China as “nothing but a separatist political group” — is a key institution for the exiles, especially after the Dalai Lama handed over political power in 2011.
Elections took place in February and April in 27 countries — but not China.
The government’s “sikyong,” or leader, Penpa Tsering, was elected for a second term, after taking 61 percent in the preliminary round — a high enough threshold to win outright.
Tsering, like the government, does not seek full independence for Tibet, in line with the Dalai Lama’s long-standing “Middle Way” policy seeking autonomy.
