Did US Secretary Rubio Send Birthday Wishes to the Dalai Lama on His 90th Birthday?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Marco Rubio wishes the Dalai Lama well on his 90th birthday.
- The US is committed to advocating for Tibetan rights.
- The Dalai Lama confirms he will have a successor.
- The period from July 2025 to July 2026 is declared as The Year of Compassion.
- The Dalai Lama continues to promote human values and religious harmony.
Dharamsala, July 6 (NationPress) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has conveyed heartfelt wishes to the Dalai Lama, who celebrated his 90th birthday on Sunday.
"The US is unwavering in its commitment to advocating for the human rights and essential freedoms of the Tibetan people. We endorse initiatives aimed at safeguarding their unique linguistic, cultural, and religious identity, including their right to freely select and worship their religious leaders without outside interference," stated the US Department of State in an official announcement.
The 14th Dalai Lama, often referred to as the 'Voice for the Voiceless', aspires to live for many more years.
Prior to his 90th birthday, the Nobel Peace Laureate confirmed that a successor will be named, dispelling doubts regarding the future of the 600-year-old institution upon his passing.
In honor of this remarkable milestone, the democratically-elected Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), which represents Tibetans within and outside Tibet and is situated in this northern Indian hill station, has proclaimed that July 2025 to July 2026 will be recognized as "The Year of Compassion."
This initiative commemorates the Dalai Lama not just as a spiritual figure, but also as a worldwide champion for peace, compassion, secular ethics, and interfaith harmony, among other virtues.
In a message delivered on the eve of his birthday, the Dalai Lama remarked, "I will persist in my dedication to advancing human values, fostering religious harmony, and highlighting the ancient wisdom of India, which sheds light on the complexities of the mind and emotions, alongside Tibetan culture and heritage, which holds immense potential to enrich the world with its focus on peace and compassion."
"I cultivate determination and bravery in my daily existence through the teachings of the Buddha and Indian sages like Shantideva, whose aspirations I strive to uphold."
The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in March 1959 following a failed revolt against Chinese authority, advocates for a 'middle-way' approach, seeking greater autonomy for Tibet instead of full independence.
Currently, the Tibetan monk resides in exile in McLeodganj, a picturesque hill station on the outskirts of Dharamsala in the northern Indian Himalayas.