'Frustrated' Dalai Lama envoys quit over repressive China 'stonewalling' talks

Beijing, June 4 (ANI): Two top envoys of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama have reportedly resigned citing frustration over the stalled dialogue process with China, and 'deteriorating' situation in their homeland.

Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen submitted their resignations to Lobsang Sangay, prime minister of the government in exile, after a meeting of the Tibetan task force in Dharamshala.

"Given the deteriorating situation inside Tibet since 2008 leading to the increasing cases of self-immolations by Tibetans, we are compelled to submit our resignations," the envoys said in a statement.

"At this particular time, it is difficult to have substantive dialogue [with China]," they added.

According to News24, the envoys had led the Tibetan negotiating team in nine rounds of talks with representatives of the Chinese government since 2002, with the last meeting taking place more than two years ago.

Meanwhile, many Tibetans in China have complained of political and religious suppression under Chinese rule.

This resentment has been blamed for a wave of self-immolations in Tibetan-inhabited areas since last year.

China, however, insists that Tibetans enjoy religious freedom and have benefited from improved living standards brought on by the country's economic expansion. (ANI)