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

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s squad is participating in the 10-day military exercise that focuses on counter terrorism and disaster response, the Nepal Army said in a statement.

“We hope such joint military exercise would help Nepal and Chinese armies to boost their professional capabilities,” Director-General of Military Operations of Nepal Army General Binod Kumar Shrestha said while inaugurating the joint drill. 

While highlighting the historic ties between Nepal and Chinese armies, Colonel Yang Shumeng, who is leading the Chinese PLA in the exercise, said that such exercise would enhance understanding on counter terrorism and strengthen the military-to-military ties. The joint training with China marks the NA’s extension of military diplomacy. 

The NA has been conducting joint military drills with Indian and American armies at regular intervals.The NA says the drill is a part of its regular bilateral and multilateral military exercises aimed at sharing expertise.