From everyday encounters to geopolitical relations: the Tibetan diaspora in India

Abstract

This article examines how Tibetan exile identity in India is shaped through the interplay of local social relations and broader geopolitical forces. It argues that Tibetan-Indian interactions have both everyday and geopolitical significance, influencing place-making, perceptions of India as Buddhism's homeland, and portrayals of Tibetans as exceptional refugees. After outlining continuities and changes in exile, we explore two case studies at different levels of analysis. The first, based on ethnographic fieldwork among Gaddis in Himachal Pradesh, explores refugee-tribal spiritual hybridity and shows how Tibetan-Gaddi relations intersect with grassroots tribal politics. The second analyses the Dalai Lama's depiction of himself as a ‘son of India,’ Tibetan gratitude for Indian hospitality, and the Guru-Chela framework. Together, these examples demonstrate that understanding Tibetan diasporic identity requires centring India, its diverse communities, and its evolving political contexts.