More than 200 members of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), representing Tibetan communities from across India, marched through Delhi on September 11 to protest Chinese President Xi Jinping’s participation in the BRICS Summit in the capital. The protesters accused Beijing of suppressing Tibet’s cultural, religious, linguistic and national identity and urged India and other BRICS nations to raise human rights concerns with China.
According to The Hindu, more than 50 Tibetan Youth Congress members were detained by Delhi Police on Saturday while protesting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s participation in the BRICS Summit.
Separately, Delhi Police detained at least three Tibetan protesters near Pragati Maidan after they allegedly unfurled Tibetan flags and banners ahead of Xi’s arrival, while the Students for a Free Tibet group put the number at four to five. The demonstrations came as security was heightened across New Delhi for the two-day summit, with Xi attending the September 12–13 meeting.
March Highlights Tibetan Concerns
The TYC-led demonstration began in Majnu Ka Tila, a prominent Tibetan settlement in north Delhi, and brought together members of the Tibetan community from more than 20 settlements across India. Protesters carried Tibetan national flags, banners and placards criticising Chinese policies in Tibet as they marched through the area. The group used Xi’s visit to draw international attention to what it describes as decades of political repression and the erosion of Tibet’s distinct identity.
Among the issues raised was China’s newly introduced Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, which protesters described as an attempt to further assimilate Tibetan communities. A placard displayed during the protest read, “Ethnic Unity Law and Progress = Genocide”, reflecting the strong opposition among activists to the legislation. The protesters also called for greater international scrutiny of Chinese policies concerning Tibetan language, religion and culture.
Tenzin Lobsang, general secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress, told ThePrint that the organisation wanted to send a clear message ahead of Xi’s visit while also expressing pride in India’s role as host of the BRICS Summit. “We are more than proud and happy witnessing the growth of India,” he said.
Activists Detained Near Summit
The protest also unfolded close to the BRICS venue. On Friday morning, a group of Tibetan protesters gathered at an underpass near Pragati Maidan, where they reportedly unfurled Tibetan flags and banners opposing Xi’s visit. Delhi Police detained three people, according to police sources cited by ThePrint. However, a member of Students for a Free Tibet told the publication that four to five people had been detained and said the organisation was in contact with lawyers.
A senior police officer told ThePrint that around three people were detained after gathering near the summit venue. The detentions took place amid heightened security around Bharat Mandapam, where the BRICS proceedings were being held. The police action highlights the security challenges surrounding a major international summit, particularly when visiting leaders are the subject of demonstrations.
Students for a Free Tibet said the demonstrations were intended to challenge what it described as Beijing’s narrative of multilateral cooperation while urging BRICS leaders to confront alleged human rights violations in Tibet. The organisation also raised concerns over forced cultural assimilation, residential schools and large infrastructure projects in Tibet.
The Tibetan Youth Congress has maintained that its protests are aimed at keeping the Tibetan question visible internationally. In July, around 60 TYC members staged a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy in Delhi against the same Ethnic Unity Law, with several activists subsequently detained and taken to Mandir Marg Police Station.
Xi Visit Puts Tibet Debate Back
Xi’s participation in the 2026 BRICS Summit marked his first visit to India in seven years and brought renewed attention to the complex relationship between New Delhi and Beijing. The protests occurred just before the summit, while Indian authorities had significantly increased security across the capital. More than 100 Delhi Police sniffer dogs were deployed at Bharat Mandapam and hotels associated with the summit, underscoring the scale of the security arrangements.
Despite the protests, diplomatic engagement between India and China continued. On September 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Xi in New Delhi following the BRICS declaration. The meeting lasted more than 50 minutes, with Modi describing it as an opportunity to discuss cooperation, while Xi stressed the importance of maintaining long-term bilateral ties.
The protests therefore came against a broader backdrop: India is seeking stable and constructive engagement with China while Tibetan activists continue to demand international attention to their concerns. For the protesters, Xi’s presence in New Delhi offered an opportunity to highlight an issue they believe should not disappear from the global conversation simply because diplomatic and economic ties are being pursued.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The right to peacefully express disagreement is an essential part of any democratic society, particularly when communities are seeking attention for concerns about identity, culture, religion and human rights. At the same time, international diplomacy requires space for dialogue, cooperation and engagement, even between countries with deep disagreements.
The Tibetan protests in Delhi remind us that diplomatic meetings can have consequences and meanings far beyond conference halls, especially for communities whose historical and cultural concerns remain unresolved. Any response to such demonstrations should therefore balance legitimate security requirements with respect for peaceful expression. Dialogue does not require everyone to agree; it requires creating enough space for people to be heard without fear or hostility.
As India continues to engage with China, can diplomacy and peaceful dialogue create greater space for addressing the concerns of Tibetans while preserving regional stability and coexistence?
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