KATHMANDU: Major General Zhang Baoqun, the deputy director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, met with Nepal Army chief Prabhu Ram Sharma at the NA headquarters in Kathmandu on Sunday, marking a significant step towards bolstering military ties between the two nations.
During the meeting, discussions encompassed various dimensions of the bilateral relationship, including cooperation between the armed forces of Nepal and China, as well as matters of mutual interest. The delegation, led by Major General Zhang, arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday and is scheduled to explore cultural and tourist attractions in Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara.
Discussions centered on military procurement, the potential establishment of an ammunition plant for the Nepal Army, resumption of joint military exercises, training programs for Nepal Army personnel, and broader military-to-military cooperation.
Military Cooperation Between China and Nepal
This high-profile visit marks the first interaction between the two militaries following the formation of Nepal’s new Cabinet on March 4, signaling a recalibration of the country’s political landscape with the formation of a new coalition government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in alliance with the CPN-UML and other fringe parties, thus concluding the Maoist party’s alliance with the Nepali Congress.
The military cooperation arm of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army actively engages in negotiating and implementing military-related agreements and cooperation with foreign countries, signifying China’s strategic interest in strengthening its ties with Nepal.
The Chinese delegation’s visit to Kathmandu follows a tour of South Asia, including a stop in Sri Lanka, and underscores China’s growing engagement with countries in the region. Notably, in Male, the delegation reached a new security agreement with the Maldives amid evolving regional dynamics.
The six-member Chinese delegation is expected to conclude its visit on Tuesday, having contributed to further deepening the military ties between China and Nepal.
