The first ever Nepal-China joint military drill ‘Sagarmatha Friendship-2017’ begins at Nepal Army’s Para Training School Maharajgunj on Sunday.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s squad has already arrived in the Capital to participate in the military exercise that will focus on counter terrorism and disaster response. The 10-day exercise will conclude on April 25. 

The joint training with China marks NA’s extension of military diplomacy. The NA has long been conducting joint military drills with Indian and American Army.

According to NA Spokesperson Brig Gen Jhankar Bahadur Kadayat, a small Chinese troop will be participating in the first ever drill with an equal number of NA personnel.

He did not give the numbers of the troops. The exercise will take place at the NA’s Maharajgunj-based Training School, where Yuddha Bhairab, Mahabir and Bhairabnath Battalions are located. 

The NA has said the joint military exercise with China is a step towards preparations against the possible threat from terrorism. 

The NA maintains that the drill is a part of its regular bilateral and multilateral military exercises aimed at sharing experiences, skills and professional knowledge which it has been doing regularly with the nations that Nepal shares diplomatic ties.

The national defence forces from the two countries has increased their engagement of late. On February 19, Major General Zhao Jinsong of the western command of the People’s Liberation Army of China was in Nepal on a three-day visit. That was followed by a visit by Defence Minister and State Councillor Chang Wanquan in the third week of March. Chang had announced 300 million Yuan (Rs4.5 billion) in military aid to the NA.