• Tibetan Cause, Tibetan Governance, and Tibetan Leadership and Community to reflect the concerned sections more relevant. 

With profound grief, Tibetans across the world mourn the passing of Gyalo Thondup, a veteran Tibetan political figure and elder brother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He dedicated his life to the Tibetan freedom struggle and passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Taktser House in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India, at the age of 97.

A man of immense political acumen and resilience, Gyalo Thondup played a pivotal role in shaping modern Tibetan politics in exile. As a central figure in diplomatic, intelligence, and resistance efforts, he forged crucial alliances with India, the United States, and other global powers to garner support for Tibet’s cause. His passing marks the end of an era for Tibet’s struggle for freedom, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations.

Tibetan Cause

Born in 1928 in Taktser, Amdo, Gyalo Thondup was destined to be at the heart of Tibet’s political landscape after the recognition of his younger brother as the reincarnation of the previous Thirteen Dalai Lama. After his family moved to Lhasa, Tibet’s capital in early 1940, where the present 14th Dalai Lama was formally enthroned, Thondup attended Tibetan school. Regent Reting Rinpoche suggested that Thondup be schooled in China as he was poised to play a significant role in the Tibetan political leadership to support his younger brother. Thondup’s parents agreed and later went to Nanjing, China, where he became fluent in Mandarin and Chinese history.

This education experience provided him with unique insights into China’s political landscape too. During this period, he encountered influential Chinese leaders, including Chiang Kai-shek. However, as the Communist revolution unfolded and seized the central power in 1949, Thondup left Nanjing and, by 1952, had relocated to Kalimpong, India, where he became a key strategist in the Tibetan resistance movement.

In exile, Thondup initially reached out to President Dwight Eisenhower. Later, his elder brother Thubten Jigme Norbu came to see him in Kalimpong with a US agent in the late 1950s. This was his first direct contact with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It appears that one of his most significant contributions to Tibet’s fight for freedom was his instrumental role in recruiting Tibetan volunteer fighters, who later received military training in the US with the full support of the CIA. His leadership helped establish the Mustang-based Tibetan Resistance Movement, which played a crucial role in resisting Chinese occupation. His political maneuvering also helped secure the passage of three crucial United Nations General Assembly resolutions on Tibet (1959, 1961, and 1965), bringing Tibet’s plight to the global stage.

Gyalo Thondup worked closely with Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1959 during the Dalai Lama’s perilous escape to India. His strategic planning ensured the safe passage and resettlement of thousands of Tibetan refugees, laying the foundation for the Tibetan community in exile.

Beyond armed resistance, Thondup played a crucial role in initiating diplomatic engagement with China. In 1979, he led direct talks with Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, marking a significant shift from military resistance to diplomatic negotiations. His efforts paved the way for continued dialogue between Tibetan envoys and Chinese leadership in the decades that followed. Though a political resolution remains elusive, his diplomatic outreach remains an integral part of Tibet’s ongoing freedom struggle. It was around this period that the Dalai Lama’s official representatives were able to visit different parts of Tibet for fact-finding missions.

Tibetans from inside Tibet were permitted to go to India to meet their spiritual leaders and receive education in Tibetan schools and monastic institutions. Similarly, those Tibetans in exile were permitted to visit Tibet for pilgrimage and to reunite with their families.

Tibetan Governance

Gyalo Thondup held prominent positions in the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile based in Dharamsala, India. He served as Kalon Tripa (Chairman) of the 9th Kashag (Cabinet) from 1991 to 1993 and later as Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Security during the 10th Kashag. His tenure was marked by his relentless pursuit of international support and security for the Tibetan cause.

His remarkable journey and contributions are documented in his book, The Noodle Maker of Kalimpong: The Untold Story of My Struggle for Tibet (2015), which provides an insider’s account of the Tibetan resistance and international diplomacy. In this work, he reflected on the hardships of exile and the complexity of the Tibetan cause, stating that Tibet’s struggle is not just about a lost nation but about the survival of an ancient civilization, a way of life, and a spiritual heritage with global significance.

Tibetan Leadership and Community

Following his passing, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed deep sorrow and led a memorial prayer service at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe, South India. In his message, the Tibetan spiritual leader said:

“It is with deep sorrow that I share the passing of my elder brother, Gyalo Thondup. The primary purpose of the offerings made to the monks gathered here today for his memorial service is to honor his life and legacy. My brother worked with immense dedication and courage, and his determination was truly remarkable. Through these memorial offerings, we pray for his auspicious rebirth, specifically as a Tibetan, where he may continue to serve the cause of Tibet, as he so deeply desired. I too make this prayer on his behalf.”

The Sikyong (President) of the CTA, Penpa Tsering, also paid tribute, posting on X (formerly Twitter):

“It is with deep sorrow that we, the CTA and the Tibetan people, mourn the passing of Gyalo Thondup la, the elder brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A towering figure in Tibet’s history, he lived a meaningful life defined by his unparalleled contributions to the Tibetan cause. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. May he attain a swift rebirth and continue his virtuous legacy.”

Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile reflected on his contributions:

“With a heavy heart, we mourn the demise of Gyalo Thondup, esteemed elder brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His lifelong dedication to the Tibetan cause and his remarkable contributions will be remembered with deep gratitude, inspiring our unwavering pursuit of justice and freedom for Tibet.”

Former Sikyong, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, also shared his condolences:

“I am deeply saddened to hear the demise of Trisur Gyalo Thondup la. He was a patriot who dedicated his whole life for the cause of Tibet. He played an instrumental role during the most difficult phase of Tibetan history. I have had the privilege of meeting him several times and he gave me wise and insightful advice. My profound condolences.”

On February 10, the Central Tibetan Administration leadership and staff gathered at the Sikyong Hall in Dharamsala to pay their respects. Officiating Sikyong Tharlam Dolma Changra remarked:

“As we embarked on our journey of exile in India following the illegal occupation of our homeland by the PRC, none of us possessed the understanding or resources necessary to sustain ourselves or our struggle in a foreign land. In the face of these formidable challenges, Kalon Trisur Gyalo Thondup devoted himself tirelessly, making significant efforts to garner support from international governments, including those of India and the United States.”

In light of this immense loss, the Pokhara Lodrik Jampaling Tibetan Settlement’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, originally scheduled for February 22-23, 2025, have been postponed until after the traditional 49-day mourning period. The Lodrik Jampaling residents observed a special prayer service on February 11 at 8:00 AM in front of the Kagyur Temple.
Its statement read: “We take this moment to acknowledge Kungoe Gyalo Thondup’s immense contributions to Tibet’s cause and his special connection to the Lodrik people. His loss is deeply felt, and our condolences are extended to his family during this difficult time.”

Gyalo Thondup’s unwavering dedication, political acumen, and lifelong sacrifices have left an indelible mark on Tibetan history. Whether through his leadership in the armed resistance, his diplomatic negotiations, or his governance in exile, he remained steadfast in his commitment to Tibet’s freedom.

His passing is a monumental loss to the Tibetan community, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations in the ongoing struggle for justice, human rights, and self-determination. His vision for Tibet lives on, carried forward by those who refuse to let the spirit of their homeland fade into history.

As Tibetans worldwide mourn his passing, they also celebrate his extraordinary life – a life lived in service of a nation, a people, and a cause that remains close to the hearts of many.