“Tibet is the palm; the 5 fingers are Ladakh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, & AP “: Tibet’s former PM on China’s expansionism
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Lobsang Sangay, the former Tibetan Prime Minister in exile, has sharp words for China’s expansionist policies. Speaking to in New Delhi, he described Tibet as the “palm” in China’s grand strategy, with surrounding regions like Ladakh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh as the “five fingers.” Sangay explained that China eyes Tibet not just for control, but for its massive mineral wealth, including uranium, gold, copper, and even 75% of China’s lithium reserves.
“China’s President Xi Jinping has visited Tibet twice to push this five-finger strategy,” Sangay said. He pointed out how the late Panchen Lama once noted that China gains far more from Tibet than the Tibetan people do. Sangay praised the Indian Army’s strong response to Chinese incursions along the borders. “They’re active in Doklam, Galwan in Ladakh, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh—trying to gain ground every week,” he added.
Sangay highlighted how Chinese migrants often get priority over locals for business licenses, even for small things like rickshaw pulling or street stalls. This setup boosts China’s economy more than Tibet’s. “Sure, Tibet has better roads, railways, and buildings compared to the 1950s,” he acknowledged. “But who benefits most? Chinese migrants. Their travel is subsidized, and they dominate urban businesses, especially in summer when Tibetans leave for warmer areas due to the harsh winters.”
On the Tibet-China conflict, Sangay stressed Tibet’s rich resources—136 types of minerals worth trillions of dollars—that China is actively mining. He called it economic exploitation, leaving Tibetans sidelined. The core issue dates back to 1949, when China invaded and annexed Tibet, claiming sovereignty. In contrast, the Tibetan government-in-exile pushes for historical independence and self-determination.
Tibet’s main demand remains a “middle way” approach: genuine autonomy through dialogue with Beijing. “That’s our official aspiration,” Sangay said. But he sounded frustrated, noting that talks have stalled for 30 years. “China isn’t interested in dialogue—they just want to take. Solving Tibet’s issues and gaining real autonomy is getting harder,” he warned.
Sangay’s comments come amid ongoing tensions in the India-China border disputes, including the 2020 Galwan clash, and highlight the broader geopolitical stakes in the Tibet region.
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