sovereignty

"India challenged our territorial sovereignty. The whole nation supported the armed forces and the government at that time," he said.

For the tribe, Escobedo said, the long-term picture likely includes developing a residential community — which the Tejon haven’t had for more than a century — as the tribe aims for “financial sovereignty.”

"We have taken a major step for the economic sovereignty of the European Union," the minister added.

Relations had already been on the slide after President Macron announced France was recognising Moroccan sovereignty of Western Sahara and backed a plan for limited autonomy for the disputed territory.

“It’s really an acknowledgment of that sovereignty that we possess as tribes, to be able to come together and have this body that directly engages with the federal government,” he said.