Dalai Lama's elder brother, Gyalo Thondup, dies at 97
What's the story
Gyalo Thondup, the elder brother of the Dalai Lama and a prominent figure in Tibetan politics and diplomacy, has passed away at the age of 97.
He died on Saturday evening at his home in Kalimpong, a town in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal.
Thondup was the chairman of the exiled Tibetan government in India from 1991 to 1993.
Diplomatic influence
Thondup's pivotal role in Tibetan politics and diplomacy
Thondup was key to establishing early contacts with the Indian and US governments for Tibetan support.
He was instrumental in facilitating talks between leaders of Tibet and China, a major shift from his earlier stance of advocating an armed struggle against Chinese control of Tibet.
In 1979, he initiated talks between Tibetan and Chinese leaders.
Stance shift
Thondup's change in stance and contribution acknowledged
In a 2003 interview with Radio Free Asia, Thondup had said "Neither India nor the US would be able to solve the Tibetan issue," stressing that progress needed direct talks with Beijing.
His efforts also included liaising with Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during the Dalai Lama's escape to India.
The Dalai Lama led a prayer session for Thondup at a monastery in Karnataka's Bylakuppe, where he is currently staying for winter.
Final tribute
Dalai Lama prays for Thondup's 'swift rebirth'
The spiritual leader prayed for Thondup's "swift rebirth," as held by Buddhist beliefs, and acknowledged his "immense" contributions to the Tibetan struggle.
Tibetan media outlets credited Thondup for networking with foreign governments and praised his role in facilitating US support for the Tibetan struggle.
No other details were immediately released about his death.