A bipartisan US congressional delegation led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast met the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamsala on September 30, 2026. The meeting focused on Tibet, freedom, China’s policies and concerns surrounding the future succession of the Tibetan spiritual leader.Key Highlights• Five US lawmakers met the Dalai Lama at his residence in McLeodganj, Dharamsala.• The delegation was led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast.• Discussions included Tibet, China and freedom-related concerns.• US lawmakers expressed support for the Tibetan people.• The delegation had earlier met senior Indian officials in New Delhi.US Lawmakers Meet Dalai Lama in DharamsalaA five-member bipartisan US congressional delegation met the Dalai Lama at his residence in McLeodganj, Dharamsala, on Wednesday. The delegation was led by Republican Representative Brian Mast, chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.The lawmakers who participated in the meeting included James Gallagher, Jimmy Patronis, Haley Stevens and Shri Thanedar. The wider US delegation visiting India included members from both the Republican and Democratic parties.Tibet and China Among Key Discussion PointsFollowing the meeting, Mast said that China and the freedom of the Tibetan people were among the major issues discussed with the Dalai Lama.Mast also raised concerns about what he described as China's efforts to suppress Tibetans beyond China's borders. He alleged that Beijing's influence and surveillance activities could extend internationally. These were statements made by the US lawmaker and represent the delegation's position.Concerns Over Dalai Lama SuccessionAnother major issue raised by Mast was the future succession of the Dalai Lama. He expressed concern that Beijing could attempt to influence or nominate its own candidate in the future.The question of the Dalai Lama's succession has become an important point in US-China discussions concerning Tibet. US lawmakers have previously supported legislation and policy measures stating that the selection of Tibetan religious leaders should remain a matter for Tibetan Buddhist authorities.US Delegation's India VisitThe Dharamsala meeting came after the US congressional delegation held discussions with senior Indian officials in New Delhi.Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met the delegation earlier in the visit, with discussions covering India-US relations, international issues, energy security, counter-terrorism and freedom of navigation. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh also met the lawmakers to discuss the India-US strategic partnership, including defence industrial and technological cooperation.What Brian Mast SaidAfter meeting the Dalai Lama, Mast said the delegation wanted to better understand the Tibet issue and reaffirmed its support for the Tibetan community.Other lawmakers also spoke about Tibet during the visit. Haley Stevens said the delegation wanted to highlight the concerns of Tibetans, while James Gallagher spoke about freedom, religious rights and cultural self-determination.The visit places Tibet and the Dalai Lama's future succession among the issues discussed during the US lawmakers' wider India visit, which also included talks on bilateral relations and international affairs.Keywords: US delegation meets Dalai Lama, Dalai Lama Dharamsala, US bipartisan delegation India, US lawmakers Dharamsala, Brian Mast Dalai Lama, Tibet news 2026, Dalai Lama news, US China Tibet, India US relations, Dharamsala news
