US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Riley Barnes has congratulated Penpa Tsering on his re-election as the Central Tibetan Administration's (CTA) Sikyong (President), reaffirming Washington's commitment to engage with democratically elected Tibetan leaders. The message, shared on 28 May, came days after Tsering was sworn in for his second consecutive five-year term in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.

Washington's Message

In a statement posted on X, Barnes said: “Congratulations to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Tibetan diaspora community on their elections, and to Penpa Tsering on his re-election as the CTA’s Sikyong. The United States will continue to engage with democratically elected Tibetan leaders in support of Tibetans everywhere.”

The statement signals continued US diplomatic attention to Tibetan self-governance at a time of heightened scrutiny over China's policies toward minority nationalities.

Swearing-In in Dharamsala

Penpa Tsering was sworn in for his second term on Wednesday in a ceremony held in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala. The event was attended by the 90-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, lending the occasion significance beyond a routine transfer of power. Ahead of the oath-taking, the Dalai Lama also met with members of the outgoing 16th Kashag (Cabinet) to mark the end of their tenure.

Sikyong Tsering's Inaugural Address

In his inaugural address, Sikyong Tsering reaffirmed that the 17th Kashag would keep the thought and counsel of the Dalai Lama at its core. He outlined a dual-track approach: sustaining backchannel communications with the Chinese government while simultaneously strengthening international recognition for the 'middle-way policy' — the Dalai Lama's framework seeking resolution through non-violence, dialogue, and mutual benefit.

“The Kashag will pursue political and social welfare initiatives with the primary goal of long-term sustainability of the Tibetan struggle until a just resolution of the Tibet-China conflict is achieved,” Tsering said.

On Negotiations with China

Tsering was candid about the diplomatic environment. “Given the Chinese government's current policy direction towards the nationalities, there does not seem to be much space for negotiations,” he said, while stressing that the CTA remained “firmly committed” to the middle-way approach. He added that backchannel communications with Beijing would continue “with caution and steadiness.”

This is the second consecutive democratic mandate for Tsering, underlining the CTA’s institutional continuity at a moment when the Dalai Lama’s age and succession questions loom over the broader Tibetan movement. The CTA functions as the representative body of Tibetan people both inside and outside Tibet.

What Comes Next

The 17th Kashag now takes charge with a mandate to balance quiet diplomacy with Beijing against a broader push for international support. How Washington and other democracies translate rhetorical support into tangible policy leverage will be closely watched by the Tibetan diaspora worldwide.