Nepal overruled its own security agencies to cancel Tibetan studies conference under Chinese pressure, officials say
Summary
Nepal cancelled a week-long international Tibetan studies conference after Chinese diplomatic pressure, despite security agencies saying the event posed no threat. The decision overrode a public assurance from Home Minister Sudan Gurung and left Kathmandu University withdrawing as convener.
Key Points
- Nepal’s government cancelled the Tibetan studies conference after Chinese lobbying intensified, overriding security agencies’ earlier assessment that no cancellation was needed.
- Chief Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karkee instructed Kathmandu University to stop the event after consultations with Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai.
- Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming and other Chinese-linked figures reportedly pressed concerns about pro-Tibet messaging and the event’s participants.
- Kathmandu University has withdrawn as convener, leaving the International Association for Tibetan Studies to decide whether and where the conference can still be held.
