Dharamshala — President Dr Lobsang Sangay and Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel on Friday sent separate messages of congratulation to Ram Nath Kovind on his being elected the 14th President of India.
"I, on behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration, heartily congratulate you for being elected as the 14th President of India," the President of Central Tibetan Administration, Dr Lobsang Sangay said in his message.
"Your decisive victory in the Presidential election is a testament to the democratic consciousness of the people of India, deep rooted values of secularism, inclusion and oneness of the Indian culture."
"India is not only a plural society of immense diversity with different social, religious, cultural and linguistic expressions, but is the treasure trove of ancient wisdom and knowledge that can contribute significantly to humanity."
"As you take on the presidency, we hope you will be the harbinger of the exemplary traditions of India's religious harmony, karuna and ahimsa."
"On behalf of Tibetan all around the world, I profoundly thank the Government and People of India for hosting us and providing the spine for the Tibetan freedom struggle."
"Tibetans take pride in the fact that the Tibetan freedom struggle is the original 'made in India' struggle. As His Holiness keeps saying, we are grateful to India not only for hosting us but helping us become the most fortunate and successful refugee in the world."
"On behalf of Central Tibetan Administration, I wish you a successful and fruitful tenure," said the President.
In his messages, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament –in-Exile, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, extended his 'heartiest' congratulations to Kovind on wining the 14th Presidential election on behalf of all the Tibetans inside and outside Tibet.
"India has not only bestowed upon us an unparalleled support but also sheltered us with safety against adversaries, for which we remain highly indebted. We were able to preserve our identity, language and culture and even set up an administration in exile for the last 58 years," he said in the message.
"His Holiness the Dalai Lama's meeting with Presidents of India from Shri Rajendra Prasad to Shri Pranab Mukherjee in 2016 attest to the multi-faceted bond of culture and religion shared between India and Tibet."
The Speaker further expressed his hope that "the possibility of the resumption of dialogue between the government of China and the representative of His Holiness the Dalai would soon eminent under his leadership.
He wrote that His Holiness the Dalai Lama's meeting with Presidents of India from Shri Rajendra Prasad to Shri Pranab Mukherjee in 2016 attest to the multi-faceted bond of culture and religion shared between India and Tibet."
Speaker Tenphel further expressed his hope that the possibility of the resumption of dialogue between the government of China and the representative of His Holiness the Dalai would soon eminent under his leadership.
"I never aspired to be the President. My win is a message to those discharging their duties with integrity. My election as the President is an evidence of the greatness of Indian democracy," he told reporters. "I am feeling emotional." Kovind secured the support of 2,930 with a value of 7,02,044 votes while 1,844 with a value of 3,67,314 votes backed Kumar in an electoral college of 4,896 with a total value of 10,69,358 votes.
Kovind, a low-caste politician backed by the ruling BJP-led coalition, won India's presidential election earlier Thursday. India's constitution provides a largely ceremonial role for the president, with the prime minister and his cabinet colleagues holding executive power.
