The United States has congratulated Penpa Tsering on his election as the next president of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Tsering will now lead the Dharamshala-based CTA, also known as the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Tsering takes over from Dr Lobsang Sangay who headed the CTA as the president, also called the Sikyong in Tibetan, for two terms. Dr Sangay congratulated Tsering on his victory and offered cooperation to ensure a smooth transition of power. The Tibetans hold global elections among the spread out community to elect the president for their government-in-exile.

Ned Price, US State Department spokesperson, tweeted: "The United States congratulates Penpa Tsering on his election as the Central Tibetan Administration's (CTA) next Sikyong. We look forward to working with him and the CTA to support the global Tibetan diaspora".

The United States congratulates Penpa Tsering on his election as the Central Tibetan Administration's (CTA) next Sikyong. We look forward to working with him and the CTA to support the global Tibetan diaspora.

— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) May 15, 2021

Tsering has served as the speaker twice in the Tibetan government-in-exile and was the North America Representative of the Dalai Lama.

The election process for the Sikyong takes months to culminate in which they also elect a new parliament-in-exile with 45 new members. The Tibetan diaspora had held two rounds of voting – once in January and the second in April. Polling took place in 26 countries across the world.

Tsering defeated Aukatsang Kelsang Dorjee for the position of the Sikyong. The first round, held in January, had eight candidates.

This year has been eventful for the Tibetan community. In December last year, the US gave recognition to the CTA with the passing of the landmark US law—the Tibet Policy and Support Act (TPSA).

The TPSA says that decisions regarding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama lie only with him, the Tibetan Buddhist leaders and the Tibetan people. The law makes it an offence for Beijing to interfere in the selection process of a successor to the Dalai Lama. It has even provided penalties against Chinese officials for interfering in the
selection process. Significantly, the US also said that it will begin to provide funds to the CTA through USAID. The US also plans to provide scholarships to Tibetan students and writers.

For the first time ever, the US administration invited Tibetan officials in November last year for an official meeting—giving a big boost, and also wide publicity, to the Tibetan struggle for independence.