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. The Dalai Lama mentioned in an interview with NDTV news channel that Obama's approach towards China may be different but not soft. Obama had urged for a dialogue between the Dalai Lama's representatives and China to address the Tibet issue after his recent visit to Beijing. The Tibetan government-in-exile showed readiness to engage in discussions with China following Obama's remarks. Despite eight rounds of talks between Chinese officials and the Dalai Lama's envoys, little progress has been made. The Dalai Lama, who left Tibet for India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese control, expressed no regret about missing the opportunity to meet with Obama during his visit to the U.S. in October. Despite being labeled a "splittist" by Beijing, the Dalai Lama maintains that he is only advocating for autonomy for Tibet, where protests and riots against Chinese rule occurred last year. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is traveling to the U.S. this week to address regional concerns, climate change, and a nuclear agreement.