Nepal cancels scheduled Tibetan studies conference after government request

Organizers of an International Association for Tibetan Studies meeting slated for August 23-26 in Kathmandu announced the event’s cancellation after senior Nepali officials asked them to stop. Professor Sagar Raj Sharma of the Himalaya Centre for Asian Studies confirmed the decision, noting that no specific reasons were given. The seminar, to be held at Kathmandu University, was expected to draw delegates from several countries.

Nepal’s longstanding policy of limiting pro-Tibetan activities aims to maintain amicable ties with China, which has governed Tibet since 1951. While thousands of Tibetan refugees reside in Nepal and the Dalai Lama’s birthday is observed there, such gatherings are tightly monitored by police. The government has not issued a comment on the recent cancellation.