The Dalai Lama, who has publicly stated his desire for the Tibetan people to be granted “meaningful autonomy” within China's constitutional framework, has been the face and symbol of the Tibetan struggle for almost sixty years. His departure as political leader is sure to impact the movement significantly, and many Tibetan exiles question whether the new prime minister will have the same influence and ability to keep the Tibetan people united—with some even questioning the legitimacy of the government-in exile.
They also wonder whether the new political leader will be able to develop the same type of connections with Western nations and keep the Tibetan movement under the international spotlight.
Saransh Sehgal is a writer based in Dharamsala, India, who can be reached at [email protected].
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