The Little Mountain Democracy That Sustains Tibet's Refugee Nation
It was part natural inclination, part strategy.
On visits to neighboring India, he had been charmed by its nascent republic's culture of open debate. He also knew that too much power had been vested in one man as both the spiritual and political leader of Tibet.
So, over the decades, he gradually devolved his own power to an elected Parliament based in the Indian Himalayas, and then retired his political role completely in 2011. Creating a robust structure not dependent on a single leader, he believed, according to senior monks and officials close to him, would help exiled Tibetans withstand Beijing's efforts to crush their movement for freedom and autonomy.
'The rule by kings and religious figures is outdated,' the Dalai Lama, who celebrates his 90th birthday on Sunday, said the year he gave up his political role. 'We have to follow the trend of the free world, which is that of democracy.'
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill poses risks for Indian exporters
-- Indian exporters of auto parts and solar panels could face renewed pressure from Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' even as the legislation may boost Indian IT services. 'The phase of policy volatility continues, and yet again, we have the US initiating something with global ramifications,' analysts at Bernstein say on the bill and the upcoming expiry of a pause on reciprocal tariffs. The legislation includes tax cuts expected to widen the US fiscal deficit by more than $3 trillion over a decade. The U.S. House on Wednesday narrowly approved a wide-ranging tax and spending bill. Proposals to keep import duties elevated which are still under discussion, would amount to a further $1.5tn –$2 trillion in de facto tariffs, leaving limited room to scale back existing trade barriers. While the bill could spur US consumption, capital expenditure, and digital modernisation, areas where Indian tech firms stand to gain, it also introduces headwinds for manufacturing exports. The removal of incentives for electric vehicles and the bill's emphasis on petrol-powered cars could weigh heavily on Indian auto component makers. Solar equipment exports, which have recently strengthened, may also be at risk. Another problem is Section 899, which could classify India as a 'Discriminatory Foreign Country,' potentially triggering higher US taxes on Indian IT and pharmaceutical companies operating there. A proposed cut in the remittance tax to 1 per cent would have a limited impact, reducing annual outflows from the US to India by just $110mn, compared with the $38bn total. 'The downside is significant, and the oceans murky,' Bernstein said, adding that the eventual impact will depend on the final shape of tariff provisions and any potential bilateral trade deal. Related articles Trump's Big Beautiful Bill poses risks for Indian exporters Street Calls of the Week Jefferies survey of U.S. Amazon shoppers reveals key behavioral trends Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
X suspends Reuters account in India after 'legal demand', government denies making request
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -The Reuters News account on X has been inaccessible to users in India since Saturday, when the social media platform suspended it in response to what it described as a "legal demand". A spokesperson for the Indian government's Press Information Bureau, however, told Reuters there was no requirement from any agency in the government of India to "withhold the Reuters handle. We are continuously working with X to resolve the problem". Reuters could not immediately determine what specific content the demand referred to, why its removal was sought or the entity that had lodged the complaint. Representatives for X did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Reuters spokesperson said in a statement, "We are working with X to resolve this matter and get Reuters account reinstated in India as soon as possible." Reuters World, another X account operated by the news agency, has also been blocked in India. The main Reuters account, followed by more than 25 million users globally, has been blocked in India since Saturday night. A note tells X users that "@Reuters has been withheld in IN (India) in response to a legal demand". In an email to the Reuters social media team on May 16, X said: "It is our policy to notify account holders if we receive a legal request from an authorized entity (such as law enforcement or a government agency) to remove content from their account." "In order to comply with X obligations under India's local laws, we have withheld your X account in India under the country's Information Technology Act, 2000; the content remains available elsewhere". Reuters could not ascertain if the May 16 email was linked to Saturday's account suspension. While the email did not specify which entity had made the request or what content they sought to remove, it said X had been advised that in a case of this sort, a user could contact the secretary of India's Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The secretary, Sanjay Jaju, did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment. The 2000 law allows designated government officials to demand takedown of content from social media platforms they deem to violate local laws, including on the grounds of national security or if a post threatens public order. X has long been at odds with India's government over content-removal requests. The company sued the federal government in March over a new government website the company says expands takedown powers to "countless" government officials. The case is continuing. India has said X wrongly labelled an official website a "censorship portal", as the website only allows tech companies to be notified about harmful online content. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Musk Announces New America Party Is Formed Amid Trump Split
Elon Musk speaks during an America PAC town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Credit - Jamie Kelter Davis—Getty Images Elon Musk says he has 'formed' his new political party titled the "America Party." The former lead of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) had promised to do just that if President Donald Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' passed. Musk has been—and continues to be—a vocal critic of the policy bill, arguing that it will 'cause immense strategic harm' to America on account of the trillions of dollars the bill is projected to add to the debt of the country. 'By a factor of two to one, you want a new political party and you shall have it! When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste and graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy,' Musk said via his social media platform, X, on Saturday, a day after Trump signed the bill. 'Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.' The Tesla CEO had opened a poll on July 4, Independence Day, asking his more than 220 million followers if he should create the new political party. Over 65% of the more than 1.2 million respondents voted 'yes.' Read More: Musk Renews Promise to Start New Rival Political Party as Trump Debates Deporting Him Musk went on to share his potential strategy for 'gaining independence from the two-party system,' arguing that he might try to 'laser-focus on just two or three Senate seats and eight to 10 House districts' for his party. 'Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people,' Musk elaborated. But as for what exactly Musk plans to do with his rival third party is largely open for discussion. Musk has yet to share any specific proposed policies or explicitly state what the core tenets of his party would what we do—and don't—know about Musk's vision for the America Party and how it came to be. When Musk floated the idea of creating a new political party in early June amid the very public fracturing of his relationship with Trump, his one-time ally, Musk after conducting a poll said: 'The people have spoken. A new political party is needed in America to represent the 80% in the middle!' He appeared to be referring to those who may not feel seen or represented by either the Republican Party or Democratic Party. Musk, the country's biggest Republican donor, is seemingly committed to campaigning against any Republicans who showed support and voted for the Big, Beautiful Bill that he so vehemently opposes. 'Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame!' Musk said on June 30. 'And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.' If he so desired, Musk could target pivotal congressional seats in an effort to turn them and thus potentially have the upper hand during votes on key matters. He seemingly referenced this plan with his July 4 post about establishing a 'laser-focus on just two or three Senate seats and eight to 10 House districts.' Musk did not elaborate or specify which seats would be at the center of his focus. While Musk has yet to share an actual policy platform for his party, he has reposted and responded affirmatively to some of his X followers' posts about what the platform could be. What appears to be on the docket is a platform that prioritizes cuts on debt and excess spending within the government, similar to what Musk pushed for during his time in the White House. One of Musk's followers asked: 'Is this the America Party platform?' They went on to list the following stances: Reduce debt, responsible spending only Modernize military with AI/robotics Pro tech, accelerate to win in AI Less regulation across board, but especially in energy Free speech Pro natalist Centrist policies everywhere else In response, Musk said 'yeah!' and went on to repost the list to his millions of followers, but stopped short of providing his own official policy plan. Read More: Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Faces Opposition From Musk and Some Republicans as Senate Narrowly Votes to Advance It Though Musk had voted Democrat previously, he played a vital role for the Republican Party when he became the largest donor of the 2024 presidential race, predominantly funding Trump's campaign but also financially backing other Republicans via his super political action committee (PAC) titled America PAC. Musk became a close ally of Trump's and appeared at major campaign rallies with him, addressing large crowds and urging them to vote for Trump. As a sign of their close working relationship, Trump appointed Musk as the lead of DOGE, a role he held until May. During his tenure, Musk became known for actualizing Trump's vision of cutting 'waste' in the government, which amounted to laying off thousands of federal employees. But Musk and Trump's relationship soured, especially after the former took a public stance against the spending bill. 'I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful,' Musk told CBS News in May, shortly before he announced his DOGE departure. 'But I don't know if it could be both.' Going a step further in early June, Musk said the 'massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination' and told his millions of followers to 'call your Senator, call your Congressman… kill the bill!' Musk and Trump engaged in an all-out war of words, exchanging jabs and lobbying threats—with Trump threatening to take away the government contracts for Musk's companies, including the SpaceX firm that has become a critical player for NASA. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the falling out stemmed from Musk being unhappy over changes to the Electric Vehicle [EV] mandate. Tensions reignited once more when Musk renewed his calls for the policy bill not to be passed. When asked by reporters on July 1 if he was planning to deport Musk, who has U.S. and South African citizenship, Trump replied: 'I don't know, we'll have to take a look.' 'We might have to put DOGE on Elon. The monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn't that be terrible?' Trump said, appearing to refer to the contracts and subsidies that Musk's prominent businesses have from the federal government. Read More: Musk Floats Idea of Starting New Rival Political Party—and Even Names It—Amid Trump Feud Though Musk is looking to build a viable, competitive third party, it requires more than an X poll to actualize it in the U.S.. In fact, many have tried before. Two major parties—Democratic and Republican—have dominated U.S. politics and no third party in recent memory has been able to penetrate the two-party system in a meaningful way. Former 2020 Democratic presidential primary candidate Andrew Yang has pushed for representation beyond the two-party system, but has arguably encountered limited success with his Forward Party. In June, Yang expressed a keenness to join forces with Musk, seemingly hoping that the two of them may have a stronger chance of succeeding. 'Elon has built world-class companies from nothing more than an idea multiple times, and in this instance, you have the vast majority of Americans who are hungry for a new approach,' Yang said in an interview with Politico. 'I'm happy to spell it out for Elon, or anyone else who wants to head down this road. A third party can succeed very quickly.' Part of the reason third parties struggle is due to the U.S.' 'winner takes all' system in the Electoral College. 48 out of the 50 States award Electoral votes on a winner-takes-all basis (so does the District of Columbia). This makes voting for third party candidates difficult. For example, support for the Tea Party held strong at 24% according to polls in the 2010s, though they rarely held significant political power, since the Republicans were often fearful of splitting votes in races with narrow margins, which would have risked giving the election to Democratic candidates. Contact us at letters@
