FNVA is deeply committed to advancing Tibet studies, recognising Tibet as integral to India’s national security, regional stability, and civilisational heritage. For centuries, India and China shared no direct border—until the PLA’s invasion of Tibet in 1949–50 transformed the Himalayan frontier into a contested and militarised zone. Tibet, situated on the world’s highest plateau, is a geopolitical, ecological, and cultural pivot in Asia.

China’s ongoing militarisation, rapid infrastructure expansion, demographic engineering, and control over transboundary rivers have direct implications for India.

Under Xi Jinping, Beijing’ s assertive posture reflects its intent to dominate the Himalayan region and neutralise perceived threats.

China’s creation of ‘defence villages’ near Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, troop deployments, and repeated border incursions further heighten tensions. Yet Tibet remains underexamined in India’s policy discourse, despite its centrality to issues of national security, water governance, climate resilience, and regional diplomacy. Tibet is not only a political and human rights issue—it is also a legal issue under international law, as it remains an unlawfully occupied country. The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) rule in Tibet lacks historical, legal, and moral legitimacy. India and the international community bear the responsibility to expose the realities of Chinese repression and advocate for a just resolution.

Culturally and spiritually, Tibet and India are deeply intertwined. FNVA believes that Tibet’s religious culture—rooted in wisdom and compassion—must be protected not only for Tibetans but for future generations across the region. This is especially urgent for India, the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism and home to the Dalai Lama and approximately 66,000 Tibetans. All four Tibetan Buddhist schools trace their origins to India’s ancient Nalanda tradition.

Today, this rich spiritual heritage is under grave threat from China’s policies of Sinicisation, aimed at erasing Tibetan identity through forced assimilation, destruction of religious institutions, and intrusive surveillance. Tibet significantly influences India’s border security, ecological balance, water systems, and strategic calculus with China.

A nuanced, evidence-based understanding of Tibet is essential for crafting policies that reinforce India’s security, uphold its civilisational values, and promote principled regional leadership. FNVA seeks to address this pressing policy and knowledge gap at a moment of growing awareness of India’s critical role in shaping the future of the Himalayan region.