The Dalai Lama stated that US President Barack Obama is not lenient towards China and expressed his hope for a discussion on Tibet with the Indian prime minister during their meeting in Washington. He mentioned that Obama has a different approach, not a soft stance, towards China. Obama had urged for a dialogue between the Dalai Lama's representatives and China to address the Tibet issue during his recent visit to Beijing. The Tibetan government-in-exile indicated willingness to engage in talks with China following Obama's remarks. Despite eight rounds of discussions between Chinese officials and the Dalai Lama's envoys, there has been little progress in resolving the matter. The Dalai Lama, who escaped from Tibet to India in 1959 following a failed rebellion against Chinese control, stated that he was not upset about not meeting Obama during his visit to the U.S. in October. Despite being labeled a "splittist" by Beijing, the Dalai Lama insists he is only advocating for autonomy for Tibet, which experienced riots and demonstrations against Chinese influence last year. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is traveling to the United States this week to address regional matters, climate change, and a nuclear agreement.