The Tibetan government-in-exile and China are holding back-channel talks, signalling signs of willingness by both sides to re-engage over a decade after the formal dialogue process hit a dead end in view of anti-China protests in Tibet and Beijing’s hardline approach towards the Buddhist region.

The Sikyong or political head of Tibet’s government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, confirmed the informal talks and said his interlocutor has been dealing with “people in Beijing” but there is no immediate expectation of away forward.