The International Association for Tibetan Studies had planned to conduct a seminar in Nepal from August 23-26, drawing participants from multiple nations and hosted by the Himalaya Centre for Asian Studies at Kathmandu University. According to Prof. Sagar Raj Sharma of the Center, organizers made the decision to cancel following a request from senior government officials, though the authorities offered no explanation for their position.
Nepal maintains longstanding diplomatic relations with China and has implemented policies restricting pro-Tibetan activities within its borders. The country adopted an official position stating it will not permit protests, rallies, or activities directed against any nations it considers friendly.
China has administered Tibet since 1951, when communist forces took control of the region. The subsequent decades have been marked by what observers describe as significant political restrictions, including closures of certain Buddhist monasteries and constraints on political and cultural expression outside Communist Party channels.
Large numbers of Tibetan refugees reside in Nepal, with many transiting through the territory to reach the Dalai Lama, who maintains a residence in exile in India. Authorities in Nepal have previously deployed police to manage protests by refugee populations in the country.
Annual observances marking the Dalai Lama’s birthday do take place in Nepal, though they remain confined to monastery and school settings, with police maintaining surveillance during these events.
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