By Tenzin Chokyi

DHARAMSALA, 10 Sept: The Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) marked 42 years since its formal re-establishment in exile on Thursday, with its anniversary programme unfolding amid a growing debate within the Tibetan community over how the Tibetan freedom movement should engage China and its leadership.

The debate follows a joint press conference held recently in New Delhi, where the TWA and four other Tibetan organisations issued an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of his expected visit to India for the BRICS Summit. The organisations welcomed Xi to India, addressed him as “Your Excellency,” and urged Beijing to use the visit to begin a new chapter of dialogue on the Tibet issue, guided by the Middle Way Approach.

The gesture, however, has drawn criticism over the political implications of such engagement. In a statement titled “Dictator Xi Jinping Is Not Welcome,” the Tibe...