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Nepal overruled its own security agencies to cancel Tibetan studies conference under Chinese pressure, officials say

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Nepal's government canceled an international Tibetan studies conference, overriding its own security agencies' assessments that the event posed no threat.
  • The decision followed sustained pressure from Chinese diplomats, who expressed concerns about potential pro-Tibet statements by participants.
  • Officials cited China's suspicions about Nepal's neutrality and tilt toward the West as reasons for the cancellation, despite assurances that the event would proceed.

Nepal's government abruptly canceled a four-year-planned international Tibetan studies conference, overriding its own security agencies' assessments that the event posed no threat. The decision reversed a public assurance from Home Minister Sudan Gurung that the seminar would proceed, with participants facing only security vetting.

We advised the organisers that it would be better not to hold the event. It could be sensitive, several concerns might arise, and it could pose security risks. So we advised the organisers, in good faith, to cancel the event.

— Govinda Bahadur KarkeeChief Secretary Karkee confirmed the discussion and advised cancellation.

Chief Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karkee, in consultation with Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, personally instructed Kathmandu University officials to halt the event. This move bypassed a cabinet discussion, despite its significant foreign policy implications. Officials speaking anonymously cited China's intense pressure campaign, which escalated after registration closed in June. Ambassador Zhang Maoming met with Rai on July 21, urging vigilance regarding participants who might make pro-Tibet statements.

The cancellation also followed a visit by Venerable Master Yinshun, a prominent Chinese Buddhist figure, who discussed the seminar. Following his visit and further diplomatic exchanges, several Tibetan experts withdrew. A senior government official explained the decision aimed to assuage China's concerns, stating, "Beijing has already become suspicious that the present government is tilted toward the West. The seminar became a test of the government’s neutrality."

Beijing has already become suspicious that the present government is tilted toward the West. The seminar became a test of the government’s neutrality. To assuage China’s concerns, the decision was taken to cancel the event.

— Senior government officialAn official explained the underlying reasons for the cancellation, citing China's concerns about Nepal's neutrality.

Organizers, however, dispute the framing that the seminar was sensitive. They noted that Nepal was selected to host in 2022, calling the cancellation "incorrect." The government's reversal, despite its security agencies' initial assessment of no threat, highlights the influence of foreign diplomatic pressure on domestic policy decisions.

Nepal was selected to host the conference in 2022. It is therefore incorrect to s

— OrganizerAn organizer rejected the government's framing of the seminar as sensitive.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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