Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský’s meeting with Norzin Dolma, Minister of Information and International Relations at the Central Tibetan Administration, marked the first-ever meeting between a European minister and a CTA official. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 foreign minister gathering in India, and Lipavský’s move was welcomed by Tibetans in exile.

The CTA is recognized by most Tibetans in exile as the official representative of the Tibetan people. However, China claims full sovereignty over Tibet, which has long been a point of contention. The meeting between Lipavský and Dolma underscores the Czech Republic’s continued support for the Tibetan people and their cause for autonomy.

The Czech Republic has a history of supporting Tibet, with former President Václav Havel being a longtime supporter of the Tibetan cause. In his tweet after the meeting, Lipavský referenced the friendship between Havel and the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetans in exile in northern India.

Lobsang Shastri, a representative of the Dalai Lama who also attended the meeting, called it a “productive exchange of views on mutual priorities.” He added that the meeting echoed the lifelong friendship between the Dalai Lama and Havel, who was a renowned dissident during Czechoslovakia’s Communist rule. Havel served as the country’s President from 1989 until 2003, and then as President of the newly-independent Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic has been vocal in its support of human rights, democracy, and freedom, which aligns with the values of the Central Tibetan Administration. The country’s recent meetings with Taiwan’s officials, which drew criticism from China, indicate that the Czech government is willing to stand up for its values and principles despite pressure from larger nations.

However, Lipavský’s meeting with the CTA may have consequences, as China is known for retaliating against countries that recognize the Tibetan cause. The Czech Republic’s continued support for the Tibetan people and their cause could result in economic or political repercussions. Nevertheless, Lipavský’s meeting with the CTA signals the Czech Republic’s commitment to its values and principles, and its willingness to stand with the Tibetan people.

Article by Prague Forum