The Historical Ties of Tibet and Nepal

The Tibet Post International - 18th May 2008

The historical ties of Tibet and Nepal dates back to thousands of years with deep political, economic, cultural and religious activities as forming the basis of bilateral relationships. The bringing to Tibet of Princess Brikuti Devi of Nepal as a bride of King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century AD had shaped the Tibetan political and cultural alliance with the Kingdom of Nepal.

In due course of time, the relationship between Tibet and Nepal bolstered with people from both the countries visiting each other on pilgrimage and for trade and business activities. It further grew when the Tibetan Government started to send its emissaries into Nepal for renovation of ancient Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

This historical relationship is further reinforced by the openhanded gestures of the people and government of Nepal when it gave political refuge to thousands of Tibetan refugees after the invasion of Tibet by China. We, as Tibetans will always cherish these acts of selfless generosity of the people and government of Nepal that ranges from providing rehabilitation and other humanitarian assistances to overcome the sufferings of the Tibetan people at such a critical time of our history.

The only reason behind Tibetan people’s leaving their homeland is to struggle for the freedom of their country and nothing else. This struggle would, therefore, continue until the day when our goal is fulfilled. However, recent developments in Nepal have been of deep concern for all of us Tibetans. Under apparent Chinese Government pressure, the Government of Nepal has in recent times responded to the peaceful Tibetan protesters with excessive force. In particular, the Nepalese authorities have resorted to curtail the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people to freely express their political views and freedom of assembly. In the past couple of months, numbers of Tibetan refugees have been beaten so badly that many of them have had their legs broken and ribs fractured.

Being a member state of the United Nations and above all, Nepal’s status as a civilized democratic society and particularly in view of its past political, cultural and religious relationship with its erstwhile neighbour Tibet, it is but Nepal’s moral duty to support the rights of the Tibetan refugees in Nepal to peaceful expression of their political views. This has also direct implication to Nepal’s reputation with the international community. As a sovereign State, it is but imperative that Nepal must uphold its sovereignty and independent status by not succumbing to outside pressures. This is a sincere appeal to the Government of Nepal from the Tibetan refugees who have lost their freedom.

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