Dharamsala, Oct 8 (ANI): The decision of US President Obama to meet Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama after Obama’s China visit has raised hopes amongst the Tibetan exiles living in India.

Obama will not be meeting the Dalai Lama during his five-day trip to the US capital. This is the first time in 18 years the exiled Tibetan leader has visited Washington without seeing the President.

Obama will wait until after his November summit with Chinese leader Hu Jintao before meeting the Dalai Lama, a decision that has made the Tibetan exiles hopeful of US help in resolving the Tibet issue with China.

“The fact that the meeting will take place after his China visit is significant. Perhaps, the President would have the chance to brief His Holiness of the discussion. He would hold with senior Chinese leaders on the issue of Tibet,” said Thubten Samphel, spokesperson, Tibetan government-in-exile.

The decision to break the precedent and delay the meeting was conveyed to the Dalai Lama last month when Obama’s senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and State Department Under Secretary, Maria Otero travelled to Dharamsala, to explain the administration’s stand on Tibet. (ANI)