Tibet in World War II

Abstract

The author explores the causes and manifestations of Tibetan neutrality in World War II, based on reference materials, diplomatic documents and correspondence, program documents, memoirs, journalism. Evidence is given that Tibet, which was an autonomous state (with the status of political autonomy) under the suzerainty of China (according to the Simla Convention of 1914), aspired to independence. Lhasa aimed at the international recognition of the sovereign status of Tibet and its separation from China. It was revealed that the adoption of strict neutrality by Tibet in 1941 was due to the fact that the anti-Chinese abbot of the Taktra monastery Agvan Sungra took the post of regent under the young Dalai Lama. It is noted that the position of strict neutrality of Tibet was contrary to the Simla Convention of 1914, according to which Tibet recognized China’s suzerainty over itself. It is shown that Tibet’s refusal to let US and British Empire military supplies to China through India was a serious help to Japan, since in 1942 the Japanese army captured Burma, and Tibet became the only military supply route for China. It has been proven that Tibetan neutrality significantly limited the possibilities of China, the British Empire and the United States in the war against Japan.