The Dalai Lama stated that US President Barack Obama is not lenient towards China and expressed his hope that Obama would bring up the topic of Tibet with the Indian prime minister during their meeting in Washington. In an interview with NDTV news channel, the Dalai Lama mentioned that Obama has a different approach towards China, rather than being soft on them. Obama had urged for discussions between the Dalai Lama's representatives and China to find a resolution to the crisis in Tibet during his recent visit to Beijing. The Tibetan government-in-exile indicated their willingness to engage in talks with China following Obama's remarks. Despite having held eight rounds of discussions, little progress has been made between Chinese officials and envoys of the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama, who left Tibet for India in 1959 following a failed rebellion against Chinese rule, expressed no regrets about not being able to meet with Obama during his U.S. visit in October. Despite being labeled a "splittist" by Beijing, the Dalai Lama insists he is only advocating for autonomy for Tibet, where there were violent riots and demonstrations against Chinese occupation last year. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is visiting the U.S. this week to address regional concerns, climate change, and a nuclear agreement.