- Nepal cancelled the 17th International Association for Tibetan Studies Conference, which would have hosted 720 global scholars in Kathmandu this month.
- The decision followed pressure from China regarding possible attendance by representatives linked to the Dalai Lama or the Tibetan government-in-exile.
- Officials cited diplomatic sensitivities and the "One China" policy to prevent complications with Beijing, despite the conference's strictly academic nature.
- The cancellation marks a lost opportunity for Nepal’s academic sector while raising concerns over the country's commitment to academic freedom.
Kathmandu, Nepal: The Government of Nepal has cancelled the 17th International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS) Conference, which was scheduled to take place in Kathmandu later this month, highlighting the country's continuing challenge of balancing academic engagement with the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding its relationship with China.
The conference, jointly organized by the Himalayan Centre for Asian Studies (HICAS) at Kathmandu University and the Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute, was expected to run from August 23 to 29 (Bhadra 7–13). Around 720 scholars, researchers, and academics from 39 countries had confirmed their participation. It would have been the first time Nepal hosted one of the world's most prestigious international gatherings dedicated to Tibetan studies.
However, the event has now been called off following a request from the Government of Nepal.
"We have decided not to hold the conference at the request of the Government of Nepal," said Dr. Sagar Raj Sharma, Director of HICAS and one of the conference's local organizers.
Chinese Concerns Reportedly Influenced the Decision
Although the government has not publicly explained why the conference was cancelled, officials familiar with the matter say the decision came after China raised concerns about the event.
According to reports, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming met officials at Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expressed Beijing's concerns that representatives linked to the Dalai Lama or the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)—the Tibetan government-in-exile based in India—might attend the conference. Chinese officials were also reportedly worried that discussions on politically sensitive issues related to Tibet could take place during the week-long gathering.
Reports further suggest that the Central Tibetan Administration had already decided not to send official representatives after Chinese objections emerged.
A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the cancellation was intended to prevent unnecessary diplomatic complications with neighbouring countries, particularly China.
A Major Academic Opportunity Lost
The cancellation is a significant disappointment for Nepal's academic community. Hosting the IATS conference would have given the country an opportunity to showcase its rich Himalayan heritage, strengthen international academic partnerships, and reinforce its reputation as an important centre for Buddhist and Himalayan studies.
Beyond its academic value, the conference was expected to generate economic benefits. Hundreds of international visitors would have contributed to Nepal's tourism and hospitality sectors while increasing the country's visibility within the global research community.
Founded in 1977, the International Association for Tibetan Studies is widely regarded as the leading global organization for scholars working on Tibetan history, language, religion, philosophy, archaeology, anthropology, and Himalayan cultures. Its conferences are held every few years in different countries and serve as an important platform for academic collaboration and research.
Previous conferences have been hosted in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Norway, Austria, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, Mongolia, France, and the Czech Republic. This year's conference would have been the first to take place in Nepal.
Tibet Remains a Sensitive Issue for Beijing
China has consistently maintained that Tibet is an inseparable part of its territory and strongly opposes any international activity that it believes could be used to promote Tibetan political causes or lend legitimacy to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile.
For this reason, Beijing closely monitors international conferences and events related to Tibet, even when they are presented as purely academic forums. While the International Association for Tibetan Studies identifies itself as a non-political academic organization, conferences on Tibetan studies occasionally attract diplomatic attention because participants often include scholars, Buddhist monks, and experts with links to Tibetan institutions.
Nepal's Delicate Diplomatic Position
Nepal has long adhered to the One China Policy, recognizing Tibet as part of the People's Republic of China and committing not to allow activities on its territory that China considers anti-China.
Successive governments have therefore adopted a cautious approach to issues involving the Tibetan refugee community. Political demonstrations by Tibetan exiles have often been restricted, and visits by senior Tibetan figures have been carefully monitored.
At the same time, Nepal's Constitution guarantees freedoms such as academic inquiry and freedom of expression. As a result, the cancellation of an international scholarly conference is likely to raise questions about how the country balances its diplomatic obligations with its commitment to academic openness.
Wider Implications
China is one of Nepal's largest development partners and investors, supporting major infrastructure projects and providing significant economic assistance. As a result, maintaining stable relations with Beijing remains a central priority of Nepal's foreign policy.
Foreign policy analysts have long observed that Kathmandu faces difficult choices whenever issues related to Tibet intersect with diplomacy, education, or civil society. Decisions in such cases are often shaped as much by geopolitical considerations as by the nature of the events themselves.
The cancellation of the IATS conference is therefore likely to spark renewed debate over academic freedom, Nepal's foreign policy priorities, and the extent to which geopolitical realities influence decisions involving international scholarly engagement.
So far, neither the Government of Nepal nor the conference organizers have announced whether the event will be rescheduled or moved to another country. Likewise, the government has yet to issue a detailed public explanation outlining the reasons behind its decision.
