Tibetan leaders begin weeklong discussion on approach with China

Dharmsala: Exiled Tibetan leaders met on Monday in a weeklong discussion called by spiritual leader the Dalai Lama over the direction of their movement to win autonomy from China.

The meeting in northern India follows the exiled Buddhist leader's comments last month bemoaning the lack of any progress by his envoys in talks with the Chinese government since 2002.

The self-proclaimed prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Samdhong Rinpoche called for an "open and frank discussion" and new ideas.

He opened the meeting by saying it may not necessarily lead to a new approach with China and that any new path needs to have "the clear mandate of the people."

The Dalai Lama was not expected to attend any of the meetings, said Lobsang Choedak, press officer of the government-in-exile.

China has dismissed this week's meeting as meaningless, saying the participants do not represent the views of most Tibetans.