Dharamsala, Nov 17 : Hundreds of Tibetan exiles today gathered here for a six-day long meeting to discuss the future course of action after the failure of eight round of talks with China.

Tibetan exiles from across the globe have come for the special meeting called on by the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader.

The Dalai Lama himself called for the meeting and it will act as a sounding board for many exiles who want independence for Tibet rather than their revered leader''s talk of autonomy within China, which has occupied the remote mountain region since 1950.

The exiles said that the meeting could be perceived as a watershed meeting that could forge a tougher stance on China.

Envoys of the Dalai Lama feel that talks with China were a ''total failure'' as Beijing maintained an unyielding attitude.

Tenzin Cheodon, a Tibetan exile said there was a need to reconsider the issue considering the negative approach of China since the talks started in 2002.

The Dharamsala meeting does not have powers to change policy, but it can propose resolutions to the Tibetan parliament-in-exile. (ANI)