The Nepali Army and the People’s Liberation Army of China on Sunday launched the fourth edition of their joint military exercise, Sagarmatha Friendship-2025, in Kathmandu.

The drill, which will run until September 16, is designed to enhance cooperation in areas including counter-terrorism operations, disaster management, and United Nations peacekeeping missions, said Nepali Army in a statement on Sunday.

The exercise, first initiated in 2017, is being held alternately in Nepal and China.

The Nepali Army said that the current edition focuses on building the capacity of both forces in tackling security challenges while also fostering mutual trust and military-to-military ties.

“Besides field exercises, the training will include knowledge exchange sessions, practical demonstrations, and joint competitions to strengthen interoperability,” the statement read.

It also stated that such engagements contribute significantly to preparedness and regional stability.