International Tibetan Studies Conference to be Held in Nepal Amidst Chinese Concerns

Kathmandu. An international conference on International Association of Tibetan Studies is going to be held in Nepal. 

The conference, to be held in Kathmandu from August 23 to 29, is jointly organized by the Himalayan Center for Asian Studies under Kathmandu University and the Center for Buddhist Studies of Kathmandu University at Rangjung Yeshe Institute. Participants will include Buddhists, researchers, and professors. 

The Chinese Embassy in Nepal has expressed concern about the possibility of anti-China activities at this event, which will be attended by Tibetan studies scholars from around the world. The embassy has approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that no anti-China activities take place during the conference. 

The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Zhang Mao Ming, had recently met with Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amrit Bahadur Rai, in the last week of Jestha to express concern about the international conference on Tibetan studies. This conference has alarmed China amidst discussions about the 15th Dalai Lama being declared from Nepal. 

The International Association of Tibetan Studies had announced this program in Nepal in August 2023. China has been showing interest in this matter since then. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the conference will discuss China-Tibet issues and the Dalai Lama, which could affect China. 

Not only the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, but officials from China had also visited earlier to discuss and inquire about this matter. Sources indicate that officials from China met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kathmandu University to gather complete information about the conference. 

China's primary concern is the Dalai Lama. Since there are followers of the Dalai Lama in Nepal, if this is discussed at the conference, it will undoubtedly become a topic of discussion. China's concern is that no anti-China activities should take place and no discussion should occur regarding the Dalai Lama. 

A professor from Kathmandu University said, “This program is not against any country or any person; it is an academic program. However, if the presenters say something verbally during their presentations, it cannot be said. But officially, there are no programs or agendas to speak or present against the Dalai Lama or China.” 

Recently, China also objected to the grand celebration of the Dalai Lama's birthday in Nepal. Earlier, on May 27, the political leader of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile (Central Tibetan Administration), Penpa Tsering, took the oath of office and secrecy for his second term in the presence of the spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. There was a plan for guests from Nepal to attend that event as well. China had prevented it by exerting pressure. 

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However, they could not stop the birthday celebration. Following the Genji movement, the Dalai Lama's activities in Nepal have intensified. Sushila Karki, who became Prime Minister after the Genji movement, received congratulations and best wishes from the Dalai Lama, and various activities have been taking place in Nepal since then. 

The international conference scheduled for the second week of Bhadra has become a cause for concern for China. Academic discussions on various topics will be held during the week-long program. Scholars from approximately 40 countries will participate. 

Prof. Dr. Sagar Raj Sharma, Director of the Himalayan Center for Asian Studies, stated that there is no agenda for discussions that would affect the Dalai Lama or China during the seven-day program. Scholars from America, Europe, Britain, India, Nepal, and China will participate in this program. He mentioned that people from China themselves came and gathered information about the program from them. He added that they are ready to provide any information the Chinese side requests regarding this program. However, he clarified that the Chinese Embassy has not formally requested any information so far. 

He said, “This is a purely academic program announced four years ago. This is the first time such a program is being held in Nepal. This is the 17th program in Nepal.” He stated that the program is being organized after informing the Nepali government about it and that the government also supports it. 

The International Association of Tibetan Studies was established in 1979 on the occasion of a conference on 'Tibetan Studies' organized by the late Michael Aris at Oxford University. Conferences have so far been held in the UK (1979, 2003), USA (1982, 1998), Germany (1985, 2006), Japan (1989), Austria (1995), Netherlands (2000), Norway (1992, 2016), Canada (2009), Mongolia (2013), France (2019), and the Czech Republic (2022). The 17th conference is being held in Nepal.