India–Tibet relations

India–Tibet relations go all the way back to the war between the Kauravas and Pandavas, and the fleeing of a Kaurava military general, Rupati, to Tibet. Scholars like Buton Rinchen Drub (Bu-ston) have suggested that Tibetans are descendants of Rupati.[1] Other scholars point to the first significant contact being when Buddhism was spread to Tibet through the efforts of Tibetan kings, Songtsen Gampo and Trisong-Detsen.[2] However recently, due to Chinese presence, India has shifted its stance with respect to Tibet, resulting in the Dalai Lama calling on Tibetans to stay united.[3] For over 60 years, India has given exiled Tibetans shelter.[4]

A Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan government-in-exile) functionary said in 2019:[4]

China has occupied Tibet and we expect India has the only legitimacy and credibility to speak about Tibet [...] It is due to India's consistent generosity and kindness, we, the people in exile, have been able to preserve our ancient cultural heritage in exile