Tibetan President on Official Visit in UK

(London, 22 November 2017)

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay arrived in London on Wednesday morning for a two-day official visit.

The President of the Central Tibetan Administration (also known as Tibetan Government-in-exile) was accorded very warm reception at the world’s busiest airport – London Heathrow. Dr Sangay was received by Chonpel Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his colleagues at The Office of Tibet as well as by members of the Tibetan Community in Britain.

A further reception was accorded by Phuntsok Dalu, Culture Secretary, on behalf of the Council of Tibetan Community UK at the London Paddington station. The Sikyong arrived in the British capital by Heathrow Express, a 15-minute high-speed train journey from the world’s busiest airport. After a short drive, the Sikyong arrived at the hotel where a small contingent of Tibetan Community members accorded their final and formal reception.

In the capital, the Tibetan Leader has scheduled meetings with the parliamentarians and government officials. It is unlikely that he will meet with the British Prime Minister. During his last visit to the UK a year ago, Speaker John Bercow has met with the Sikyong. He was later acknowledged of his presence during a live parliamentary debate in the House of Commons, which was broadcast on the BBC Parliament.

As part of his current five countries’ tour, the Sikyong earlier visited Denmark, Sweden and Norway, which was coordinated by the London-based Office of Tibet. The Sikyong arrived in London from Canada. This is Sangay’s third official visit to the UK in the last six years after he was first elected in 2011. He flies back to Delhi on Thursday night.