Nepal and China will be holding the first ever joint military exercise from April 16-25, the Nepal Army announced on Thursday.

In a recent visit to Nepal, Chinese Defense Minister and State Councillor Chang Wanquan had announced 300 million Yuan (Rs4.5 billion) in military aid to the Nepal Army, mainly logistics for its UN peacekeepers. The 10-day military exercise will be focused on “disaster response and counter terrorism”. 

“In a bid to give continuity to such joint military training and exercises with the neighbouring countries and friendly nations, and in the context of terrorism that is posing serious threat to the global peace also its possible challenges to the global security, we are holding first ever joint military exercise with China under the banner of ‘Sagarmatha Friendship-2017’,” the army said in a statement.

But the planned drill which follows recent boost in Chinese military aid to Nepal has raised many an eyebrow in New Delhi, with the strategic circle in the Indian capital questioning about the intent of such an exercise. The NA, however, plays down the exercise as any of the regular bilateral and multilateral military exercises aimed at sharing experiences, skills and professional knowledge.  

“Common interests like disaster management and others, the Nepal Army has been conducting joint military exercises, seminars and training with various nations that Nepal has diplomatic ties,” the statement reads.