Washington: A top US official today said the best and only way forward for China to resolve the Tibet issue was "meaningful dialogue" with the Dalai Lama who has met Beijing's "preconditions" for talks.

"The best way for China's leaders to address Tibetan concerns is to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama, who has advocated a middle way that embraces autonomy for Tibet within China and rejects seeking independence," US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky wrote in an editorial for the Washington Post.

Dobriansky, also the US special coordinator for Tibetan issues, was scheduled to meet the Dalai Lama later today.

"When I meet with the Dalai Lama today, I fully expect him to reaffirm his strong commitment to engaging Chinese officials in dialogue", she said.

Reiterating the US stance of "meaningful dialogue as the only way forward", she said the Dalai Lama "met the preconditions" for talks set by China.

"The Dalai Lama has met the preconditions for dialogue called for by China: He does not advocate independence for Tibet; he does not engage in or advocate separatist activities; and he recognises that Tibet is part of China," she said.

She blamed the Chinese policies of repression of Tibet for the turmoil.

"Underlying these tragic events is China's long-standing repression of religious, cultural and other freedoms for the Tibetan people, repression that has been extensively documented in State Department human rights reports and elsewhere", she said.

Source : PTI