Kathmandu University Cancels Tibet IATS Conference Citing Official Order Nepal Government Denies Intervention

Kathmandu University has announced the cancellation of the 17th seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS), which was scheduled to be held from August 23 to 29. According to the conference convener, Professor Sagun Raj Sharma, the event was called off following directive orders from the Nepal government. The international academic conference had been under preparation for four years and was expected to draw over 400 researchers and scholars from more than 40 countries.

In contrast, the Nepal government has denied issuing any order to halt the conference. Ministry officials stated that no official directives—verbal or written—were issued to stop the event, suggesting that the organizers chose to cancel it independently. Observers note that sensitive geopolitical considerations regarding Tibet and diplomacy with neighboring China likely influenced the last-minute decision to call off the gathering.