China’s Growing Grip on South Asia: Ex-Tibetan Leader Lobsang Sangay Warns India
In a candid chat with in New Delhi, former Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay raised the alarm on China’s expanding influence across South Asia. He zeroed in on Nepal, where he says Chinese Embassy officials are meddling directly in local matters, making it more powerful than even the Indian or US embassies in Kathmandu.
Sangay, who led the Tibetan government-in-exile from 2011 to 2021, urged India to stay vigilant against China’s expansionist policies. "India has a bigger stake with China," he said. "Look beyond Tibet and the borders—China is always there to block India’s influence in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and neighboring countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka."
He painted a vivid picture of China’s tactics. "They don’t just control; they step into your own house," Sangay noted. In Nepal, he pointed out, locals once dismissed these fears, but now Chinese interference is clear. Tibet, he warned, is a stark example of what happens when you ignore the signs. "What happened to Tibet will happen to you if you don’t study it," he repeated, stressing that China’s full physical control over Tibet is a blueprint for political meddling elsewhere.
Xi Jinping’s Tibet Visits: A Message to India?
Sangay linked Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent trips to Tibet directly to India. "It’s less for the Chinese people and more for the world—especially India," he explained. Tibet shares a long border with India, and China’s Chengdu military base deploys troops aimed at the region. During Xi’s first visit, he rallied troops with talk of preparing for "aggression," clearly targeting India.
On his latest visit, which overlapped with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Beijing, Xi reportedly gave a similar speech to soldiers—but China kept the transcript under wraps. "I’m sure it was the same: prepare for war or incursion toward India," Sangay said. These moves, he argued, signal China’s intent to dominate Asia.
Tibet’s Lesson for Neighbors Facing China Influence
Sangay believes countries avoiding the Tibet issue to keep trade ties with China are making a mistake. While many in Asia stay quiet to dodge conflict, he sees Tibet as a wake-up call. "If you don’t understand Tibet, it will happen to you," he said. He highlighted China’s sway in Pakistan (its "all-weather ally"), Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and even Bhutan, where patterns of interference are emerging.
On Modi’s China visit after seven years, Sangay called for diplomacy but cautioned against overlooking Beijing’s bigger game. "India should build good ties with all neighbors, and we Tibetans want dialogue with China for a peaceful solution," he said. Yet, he added, China’s goal is clear: become Asia’s top power by keeping India at a distance. From border clashes in Galwan and Doklam to building over 300 villages inside and outside the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, the signs are everywhere.
Sangay worried the visit might signal to China that India accepts its dominance. "It’s not submission, but agreeing they’re number one in Asia and aiming for the world," he said. He recalled how past India-China thaws often led to pressure on Tibetans, like in 2018 when a "Thank You India" event for 60 years of exile faced roadblocks due to Chinese pushback.
A Deep Bond: Tibetans Find Home in India
Despite living in the US now, Sangay feels a strong pull toward India, where he was born in 1968 in a Tibetan refugee camp in Darjeeling. As a Buddhist, he embraces impermanence: "Once you lose your country, you’re nomadic. India became our tent—our home."
He loves the chaos and warmth of Indian life. "Stepping out of Indira Gandhi airport, that Delhi air—polluted for the body, but calming for the mind. Time for biryani, dosa, momo, and everything else!" Meeting Indians sparks instant connections: "Namaskar! We’re from Bharat too—Darjeeling. Boom, you’re friends."
Sangay praised India’s unwavering support for Tibetans, no matter the government. "We’ve preserved our identity, education, and monasteries thanks to India. No better host exists," he said. From his Harvard days studying international law to his non-monk leadership role, Sangay’s story underscores the Tibetan struggle amid China-India tensions.
In the end, Sangay sees more conflict than cooperation with China. "To rule the world, China must first rule the region—and keep number two far behind," he warned. For India and its neighbors, understanding Tibet could be key to countering this rise.
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