After the Gen-Z movement in Nepal, the exiled Tibetan government in India's Dharamshala has shown enthusiasm following Sushila Karki's appointment as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal. This has sparked speculation about a connection between the movement's leader, Sudan Gurung, and the "Free Tibet" campaign.
Tibetan leaders, including the Dalai Lama, the Prime Minister of the exiled government, and the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, have congratulated PM Karki. They claim Tibetan refugees have made significant contributions to Nepal's economy.
Penpa Tsering, the Prime Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration, hinted that Tibetans had faced an "existential challenge" under previous governments in Nepal and hoped Karki's leadership would change that. In a congratulatory letter, he stated, "Your historic appointment... is both a rejoicing moment and a hope for a better future for all people in Nepal." He added that "All our efforts over the years have been in vain, but your leadership brings us hope." He expressed confidence that Tibetans in Nepal would find it easier under her leadership and that they would contribute positively to Nepal's development.
Similarly, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, congratulated Karki, highlighting the centuries-old spiritual and cultural ties between Nepal and Tibet. He expressed gratitude to the Nepali government and its people for their hospitality toward the Tibetan community.
Earlier, the Dalai Lama himself wrote to Karki, acknowledging the close historical relationship between the two peoples. He expressed gratitude for Nepal's support in rehabilitating Tibetan refugees since 1959, and believed the Tibetan community has made a significant contribution to Nepal's economic growth.
Karki's appointment as the Prime Minister came after the Gen-Z movement, in which Sudan Gurung played a key role. Gurung's organization, "We Nepal," has been linked to and received financial support from "Students for a Free Tibet," an organization active in "Free Tibet" activities.
This collaboration raises concerns, as Nepal adheres to the "One China" policy and has consistently pledged not to allow anti-China activities on its soil. While the Nepali government has been strictly controlling "Free Tibet" activities, the sudden rise in interest from Tibetan leaders with Karki's appointment has led to suspicion about a potential link between Gurung's organization and the "Free Tibet" movement.
With the Dalai Lama's health in decline, the issue of his succession has become a point of contention. While China is expected to approve the next Dalai Lama, the current Dalai Lama recently stated that his office would find and identify his successor, a matter of significant interest to the US and India.
The support from Tibetan leaders for the new Nepali government suggests a potential increase in confrontation with China. Some fear this heightened activity could be part of a larger strategy and could create a geopolitical crisis in Nepal.
.
