In 1962, after a brief and intense war with India, China captured thousands of Indian soldiers. Among them were 700 Gorkha soldiers from Nepal, who were treated better than the others. China did this to show that Nepal and China were “brothers.” In fact, China even offered to send the Gorkha prisoners back to Nepal, but Nepal refused.
Fast forward to 2024, and it seems that the relationship between China and Nepal is becoming stronger. Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha, has always been a neutral country, avoiding taking sides in the rivalry between China and India. However, things are changing. Despite the Dalai Lama, a famous Tibetan spiritual leader, being banned from visiting Nepal due to China’s opposition, Nepal is preparing for a big event: the arrival of the 11th Panchen Lama, who is appointed by China.
This is a major shift in Nepal’s politics. The Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism, will be attending a special Buddhist conference in Nepal. The conference, the South China Sea Buddhism Roundtable, will be held in Lumbini, a town in southern Nepal where Buddha was born. This event will take place from December 12 to December 15, 2024, and will bring together monks and government officials from about 20 countries. Nepal is keeping the visit of the Panchen Lama a secret, calling it a “religious harmony” event, but the implications are huge.
What makes this situation even more complicated is the history behind the Panchen Lama. In 1995, the Dalai Lama, who leads the Tibetan Buddhist community, recognized a young boy named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. However, just three days later, Chinese authorities kidnapped the boy and his family. The Panchen Lama has not been seen in public since then. Instead, China appointed another boy, Gyaincain Norbu, as the Panchen Lama, and is now promoting him around the world.
The visit of the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama to Nepal is being watched closely by India, which hosts the largest population of Tibetan refugees. Nepal’s government, led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, has been moving closer to China, even signing a deal for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project. In the past, Nepal tried to stay neutral, but now it seems to be leaning towards China, and this visit is a clear sign of that shift.
There’s also a lot of controversy surrounding the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since 1959 after fleeing Tibet when China took control. China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and has been trying to replace him with their chosen Panchen Lama. While the Dalai Lama has stated he only seeks “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet, China insists on controlling Tibetan religious matters, including the next Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. This is creating tension not just in Tibet but across the world, especially among Buddhists.
Nepal’s decision to host the Panchen Lama while avoiding the Dalai Lama is seen as a diplomatic move to strengthen ties with China. This is particularly significant because Nepal and India have a long history of military cooperation, especially with the Gorkha regiments, which are part of the Indian Army. But China’s growing influence in Nepal, especially through Buddhism and soft diplomacy, could change this dynamic.
As Nepal welcomes the Panchen Lama, experts warn that Buddhism is becoming a tool for China to gain political leverage in the region. China is using its religious influence to strengthen its grip on Nepal, especially in light of India’s long-standing relationship with the Dalai Lama. The situation is rapidly evolving, and it’s clear that Nepal’s role in the region is shifting as it embraces China’s influence more openly than ever before.
This visit could have far-reaching consequences, not just for Nepal, but for the entire region. As the Panchen Lama gains recognition, China’s influence in Nepal is likely to grow, further complicating the already delicate balance between India, China, and Nepal. What’s clear is that Nepal is no longer maintaining its neutral stance but instead is forging stronger ties with China, much to the concern of India and Tibet’s exiled government.
