Kathmandu: China continues to develop its navy outreach in South Asia. Its newest transfer brings the Individuals’s Liberation Military (PLA) to Nepal for a joint navy drill. Codenamed as Sagarmatha Friendship, the train begins from September 6 and marks the fifth version of the coaching collection.
The announcement got here from Nepal’s ministry of defence spokesperson Manoj Kumar Acharya who confirmed that the train shall be carried out in Nepal. Troops from each international locations will participate in coordinated missions for 9 days. The coaching will deal with counterterrorism, catastrophe response and rescue operations. Sensible classes embrace dealing with IEDs, securing checkpoints and managing armed interventions.
This partnership builds on previous navy engagements between Nepal and China. The primary Sagarmatha drill passed off in 2017. It was paused through the pandemic however resumed in 2023. The present version provides one other layer to the rising defence cooperation. No location has been introduced to this point for the 2025 version.
Regional Dynamics Shift
Nepal’s choice to carry navy workouts with China comes at a delicate time. Tensions between India and Nepal over the Lipulekh-Kalapani border space stay unresolved.
In the meantime, India and China have additionally witnessed a gradual easing of tensions following the Galwan incident. Diplomatic engagements have resumed, together with latest visits by senior Chinese language officers to India.
Beijing’s defence diplomacy extends past Nepal. In Pakistan, it has provided giant volumes of navy tools. In Bangladesh, senior navy management not too long ago returned from visits to Chinese language amenities. The Chinese language authorities is now actively participating defence establishments throughout South Asia.
India Watches Intently
India maintains long-standing navy ties with Nepal. The ‘Surya Kiran’ joint train has taken place yearly for almost twenty years. On this drill, over 300 troopers take part from either side. Coaching modules embrace catastrophe reduction, humanitarian missions and high-altitude warfare.
Indian Gorkhas proceed to serve in vital numbers within the Indian Military.
Nepal’s military additionally trains with U.S. forces beneath varied bilateral programmes. The addition of normal Chinese language navy cooperation provides complexity to Nepal’s safety partnerships.
Indian defence planners are monitoring these developments with consideration. Kathmando’s shift towards diversified navy engagements brings new dynamics to regional safety planning.