Dalai Lama to visit US for knee treatment in coming weeks

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit the United States for medical treatment for his knees in the coming weeks, according to his office, in what would be his first visit to the country since 2017. Though the dates for which have not yet been announced, his trip is expected to take place this summer. It will be the Dalai Lama’s first overseas trip since November 2018 and first overseas trip since the coronavirus pandemic.

The statement issued by his office in Dharamsala, in northern India, where the 88-year-old Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader lives in exile, said there will be no engagements scheduled from June 20 onwards. The Dalai Lama enjoys strong support in the United States, where prominent lawmakers have spoken out about human rights issues in Tibet, through China considers him a separatist and has criticized those who meet with him.

Neither the Dalai Lama’s private office nor his representative in the Washington-based Office of Tibet commented on Radio Free Asia’s inquiries about the exact dates of his scheduled U.S. travel, citing security reasons.

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