His Holiness the Dalai Lama congratulates UK PM Boris Johnson on election victory

His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the new Drepung Gomang Debate Courtyard in Mundgod, Karnataka, India on December 14, 2019. Photo by Lobsang Tsering

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Mundgod — Following the Conservative Party’s victory in the UK’s general elections, His Holiness the Dalai Lama sent a letter of congratulation to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

As of Friday morning, the Conservative party had won 364 of Parliament's 650 seats, clearing the way for Prime Minister Johnson to press ahead with his promise to deliver Brexit.

Recalling Tibet’s special relationship with Great Britain, His Holiness wrote, “We cherish our long, historic and unique relationship with Great Britain."

"Indeed,  friends and well-wishers, led by former British government officials who had been posted to Tibet prior to 1950, founded the Tibet Society UK to support Tibetan refugees within weeks of our escape to India in 1959. This was a clear affirmation of the strong bond between our two peoples,” he added.

His Holiness also recalled Robert Ford, a British radio operator, who served as an official of the Tibetan Government and was arrested by the Chinese communist soldiers, ultimately enduring five years in prison. His Holiness ended his letter wishing Johnson's success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead.

From other world leaders, the United States to India, and Germany to Israel, several world leaders who swiftly congratulated Johnson on his solid victory.

The Conservative party had won 364 of Parliament's 650 seats, clearing the way for Johnson to press ahead with his promise to deliver Brexit.