NEW DELHI — Gyalo Thondup, the elder brother of the Dalai Lama and former chairman of the exiled Tibetan government in India, has passed away at the age of 97. He died at his home in Kalimpong, a picturesque town in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal, on Saturday evening.
Thondup was known for his dedicated efforts in advocating for Tibet’s autonomy, working closely with foreign governments to raise support for the Tibetan cause. His contributions were particularly acknowledged within Tibetan media, which credited him for strengthening ties with the United States.
As a mark of respect, the Dalai Lama held a prayer session at a monastery in Karnataka, where he is currently residing for the winter. During the session, he prayed for Thondup’s “swift rebirth” according to Buddhist customs and expressed gratitude for his significant contributions to the Tibetan struggle.
Thondup was one of six siblings of the Dalai Lama, but unlike his brothers, he was not groomed for a life in religious service. After making India his home in 1952, he worked tirelessly to establish important connections with both the Indian and American governments to seek assistance for Tibet.
As reported by U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia, Thondup played a crucial role in liaising with the Indian government. This included interactions with key figures like Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, especially when the Dalai Lama sought asylum in India. He also contributed to building relationships between Tibetan leaders and U.S. officials.
In 1979, Thondup shifted his approach towards seeking dialogue with Chinese leaders, moving away from the earlier strategy of armed resistance. In a notable interview from 2003, he suggested that neither India nor the United States could resolve the Tibetan issue, emphasizing the necessity of direct talks with Beijing. He served as chairman of the exiled Tibetan government from 1991 to 1993, leaving a lasting legacy in the efforts for Tibetan rights and identity.
