Nepal-China Relations: The Challenge Tibet Presents for the Balen Government Amid US Warnings

Amid warnings from the United States regarding human rights and suspicions from China, Nepal has taken Beijing’s expressed security concerns over Tibet seriously and stated its readiness to address them sensitively. Last month, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal conducted an official visit to China. During this visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi aptly described the relationship as “close neighbors, distant relatives.”

In February of this year, the US Congress passed legislation that allows barring South Asian government officials from entering the United States and seizing their assets if credible evidence of human rights violations against the Tibetan community is found. On Monday, as Tibetan refugees worldwide commemorated the 91st birthday of the Tibetan religious leader, the Dalai Lama, security measures were heightened in certain parts of Kathmandu. However, officials have not provided formal comments on the matter.

Foreign Minister Khanal reaffirmed his commitment to the traditional policy in Nepal-China relations and expressed readiness to address Chinese security concerns. He stated, “When this government was being formed, there were some doubts expressed. The main purpose of my visit was to provide clarity on the commitments of the Government of Nepal, especially adherence to the One-China policy and preventing Nepalese territory from being used against Chinese activities.”

Regarding the residence of Tibetan refugees, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR estimates that out of approximately 12,000 Tibetan refugees in Nepal, three quarters do not possess official documentation. According to data previously released by the Nepalese government, drawing on information from 1993, 12,540 Tibetan refugees reside across 21 districts in Nepal.