Second Nepal-China joint military drill likely in September

Kathmandu: The second edition of the 10-day Nepal-China joint military exercise would begin from September 17, a media report in Kathmandu has claimed, adding that the exercise will be aimed at sharing expertise in disaster management and fighting terrorism, among other objectives.

According to the report published in Kathmandu Post, the Nepal Army – which has long been holding joint military exercises with India and the United States – has collaborated with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), extending military diplomacy.

The drill, 'Sagarmatha Friendship-2', will be held at Chengdu, the capital of China's southwestern Sichuan Province.

"The platoon-level training will be led by captains from both sides. The national defence force says the drill is part of its regular bilateral and multilateral military exercises aimed at sharing experiences, skills and professional knowledge, a practice common with nations that have diplomatic ties with Nepal," sources in the Nepal Army, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

The joint exercise, according to the Nepal Army, is aimed at fighting terrorism. The drill might also focus on disaster management.

The first edition of the exercise was held in April last year in Nepal's Maharajgunj.

Army Spokesman Brigadier General Gokul Bhandari said the exercise will be conducted on a rotational basis.

Around 15 personnel from each side will participate in the exercise but the number might go up, he said.

Earlier it was supposed to be a company-level drill with 100 personnel from each side in attendance, but it was later downsized citing geological reasons, according to the report.

Nepal has been conducting battalion-level exercises, named 'Surya Kiran', with the Indian Army for the last 13 years, engaging some 300 defense personnel from both the sides.

The defence forces from Nepal and China have increased their engagement of late, the report said.