The Chinese and Nepalese militaries are set to hold a joint counter-terrorism training exercise in Nepal from early to mid-September, the Chinese Ministry of National Defence announced on Thursday. This marks the fifth iteration of the "Sagarmatha Friendship" exercise, aimed at bolstering joint counter-terrorism capabilities and deepening ties between the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Nepalese armed forces.
The 10-day drills, starting September 6, will focus on counter-terrorism operations in urban environments, including rappelling, improvised explosive device (IED) search and removal, checkpoint blockades, infiltration tactics, and armed rescue operations. Additionally, the training will cover disaster relief and peacekeeping, reflecting shared priorities in addressing regional security challenges.
According to Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang, the exercise will enhance practical cooperation and strengthen the traditional friendship between the two militaries. Approximately 150 personnel from both sides will participate, with platoon-level training led by captains.
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The announcement comes ahead of Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s five-day visit to China, starting August 30, to attend the SCO Plus Summit in Tianjin and a military parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Oli’s visit, which includes a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, underscores Nepal’s growing engagement with China, a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The military parade has stirred diplomatic tensions, with Japan urging world leaders to boycott the event, citing anti-Japanese overtones. China has lodged a protest in response. Other leaders attending include Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif and Maldives’ Mohamed Muizzu.
The Sagarmatha Friendship exercises, initiated in 2017, were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in 2023. Nepal maintains a delicate balance, conducting regular military drills with India (“Surya Kiran”) and the U.S. (“Pacific Angel”), alongside China, to enhance skills in counter-terrorism, disaster management, and high-altitude warfare. India, closely monitoring these developments due to unresolved border issues with Nepal and easing tensions with China post-Galwan, views Nepal’s diversified military engagements with strategic interest.
Nepal’s Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Manoj Kumar Acharya, emphasized that the exercises are routine and not targeted at any country. However, Western nations and India have expressed concerns over China’s expanding military influence in Nepal, particularly amid Beijing’s push for Belt and Road Initiative projects. The drills, held alternately in Nepal and China, highlight Nepal’s efforts to diversify its security partnerships while navigating complex regional dynamics.
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