Diplomatic Controversy Erupts Over Dalai Lama's Birthday Celebration in Kathmandu
Kathmandu. Diplomatic questions have been raised regarding the program organized in Kathmandu on the occasion of the 91st birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, who is living in exile in India.
A controversy has arisen because Nepal, which remains committed to the 'One China' policy, allowed a program to be organized in the capital on the occasion of the birthday of Tibetan exile leader Lama.
His followers in Nepal celebrated his birthday last Monday. Former Prime Ministers, former ministers, and former ambassadors of Nepal have objected to the celebration of Lama's birthday, stating that it is against the 'One China' policy.
Officials from the Chinese Embassy in Nepal have also expressed concern about this to the government. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, 'Dalai Lama's birthday has become a topic of discussion, with former prime ministers and former ministers expressing their views, so how can China remain silent? It is also understanding the matter in its own way.'
Although Chinese officials have not officially inquired, they have sent their sources to the ministry, the official said. 'China's official statement has not been received. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is studying this matter. If necessary, the ministry will make its position public.'
As the official stated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is studying the incident of Dalai Lama's birthday celebration. Sources indicate that the statements from senior figures are also being studied.
Dalai Lama's birthday was celebrated in the past as well, but this time it has become controversial due to the different way it was celebrated in Nepal. Former Nepali Ambassador to China, Tanka Karki, said, 'It is an act of provoking a close neighbor to appease distant relatives. This has not done any good. Nepal cannot progress by provoking its neighbors.'
A former secretary said, 'Previously, the government did not permit the celebration of Dalai Lama's birthday; Tibetan refugees forcibly celebrated the birthday every time. Rather, the police intervened during those celebrations.'
According to that former secretary, officials from foreign diplomatic missions in Nepal participated in this year's program because the government granted permission. 'They would not have participated if the government had not given permission,' he said.
After the Sushila Karki-led government was formed following the Janji movement, Dalai Lama sent congratulatory messages. Since then, China has been alarmed. This is because, in the past, Lama never sent such good wishes and congratulations when a prime minister was selected.
Former Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that allowing Dalai Lama's birthday to be celebrated and the participation of representatives from foreign diplomatic missions in Nepal is not a normal event. He stated that this incident reinforces the suspicion that the current government's foreign policy is seriously deviating.
Former Minister Shrestha said that the congratulatory messages from Dalai Lama and his so-called government to the interim government led by Sushila Karki and the current Balen government have raised serious suspicions about the underlying reasons. He said, 'If Nepal's independent and non-aligned foreign policy is confined to formality and deviates in practice to serve the strategic interests of a powerful nation, it will push Nepal's national sovereignty and independence into serious risk and crisis.'
His press release also mentioned discussions about announcing Dalai Lama's successor from Nepal.
Former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal also issued a press release stating, 'By allowing the birthday celebration to be organized at Namgyal Lower Secondary School in Swayambhu, an anti-national act has been committed that has disturbed the harmonious relationship between Nepal and China since the establishment of diplomatic relations.'
Former Prime Minister Khanal claimed that the ambassadors of the United States, France, the European Union, and Australia were present at the birthday celebration. He also claimed that Western powers are engaged in an internal conspiracy to make Nepal a base against China and turn Nepal into Ukraine.
Dalai Lama's 89th birthday was celebrated at the Holmo Monastery in the Buddhist stupa. The then US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R. Thompson, Mission Chief Véronique Lorenzo, Representative of the European Union to Nepal, Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy Aidan Burnham, Head of Consular Affairs at the Swiss Embassy Estelle Remondlaud, among others, were present.
Similarly, officials from the US Embassy, including Political Officer Pema Tenzin, Refugee Affairs Specialist from the US Embassy, Lila Devrajlu from the French Embassy, and representatives from USAID under the US Embassy, participated.
The 90th birthday was also celebrated in Nepal with various programs. Ambassadors and diplomats from diplomatic missions of the United States, Europe, and Asian countries in Nepal were present at the programs held in various places in Lazimpat and Jawalakhel.
All these programs were organized openly and formally, and the government did not intervene at that time. Even this year, the birthday was celebrated in the same way, but a diplomat said that there was more publicity this time to defame the government. He said, 'I don't know why this time it has been brought into special discussion, whereas programs have been held before as well. Representatives of missions and various people from Nepal had participated in all those programs.'
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
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