Dalai Lama congratulates Obama on re-election

"I am very appreciative of your support for our middle way approach, which I continue to believe is the best way for us to ensure a solution that is beneficial for both Tibetans and Chinese," the Dalai Lama said in his letter.

"Given the recently deteriorating situation in Tibet, of which the tragic series of self-immolations is a stark symptom, I hope your Administration will be able to take further steps to encourage a mutually acceptable solution," the Nobel Peace Laureate, currently on a tour to Japan, said.

The Dalai Lama, who relinquished the responsibility of political head of Tibetans in June last year, said "as just one among the six million Tibetans I want to thank you for your steady encouragement of our efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the problems in Tibet."

"When you first took office, I remember writing to you that the world places great hope in the democratic vision and leadership of the United States and that I hoped you would be able to shape a more peaceful world, bearing in mind the poverty, injustice and deprivation suffered by billions of people," he said, adding that the need to address these issues remains pressing today.

Obama, 51, clinched a resounding victory over Republican challenger Mitt Romney to earn a second term as US President, braving economic woes and straightaway promised bi-partisan politics after a deeply polarised election.