Top US diplomat meets Dalai Lama, says 'inspired & deeply moved'

The Trump administration's point person for international religious freedom is on a visit to India and met Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in Dharmsala on Monday, according to the US State Department. Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback began his trip in Dharmsala on October 28, where he delivered remarks alongside the Dalai Lama at the 60th-anniversary celebration of the Tibetan Institute for the Performing Arts, it said.

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Brownback met the Dalai Lama and discussed with the 84-year-old religious leader ways to improve religious freedom for Tibetan Buddhists around the world. "Inspired and deeply moved after my meeting with His Holiness Dalai Lama in India. He is living testament to the power of religious freedom to overcome hate, division, and intolerance. I'm stirred in my own faith to work harder for religious freedom for all, including Tibetans," the top American diplomat said in a tweet."Reminded today of the rich history of the Tibetans. They are a beacon of hope for religious freedom for all. They have not only endured but defied attacks by those who sought to revise, restrict, and erase their unique heritage. Today we stand in honour and celebration of them," he said in another tweet.

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From Dharamshala, Brownback would travel to New Delhi on October 29 for discussions on expanding US-India cooperation and shared global objectives, and to visit religious sites, including the Lotus Temple, the State Department said. According to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) the Ambassador said the United States strongly supports religious freedom.

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"We believe people all over the world deserve this right and they should be able to practice theirs peacefully and freely. Unfortunately, Tibetans aren't allowed to practise their faith freely in Tibet and they have to get out to India and other places to practise their faith so I was hearing with some people that had recently left and all for the reason of wanting to practise their faith freely," the CTA said.

On November 1, Brownback will visit Nepal where he will meet with Nepali leaders, including in government and civil society, to discuss efforts to strengthen religious freedom in Nepal. On November 2, he will make a final stop in Bangkok, Thailand, where he will deliver remarks at the 5th Annual Southeast Asia Freedom of Religion or Belief Conference. 

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