Nepal, US armies to discuss defence cooperation at 3-day Kathmandu meet

Nepal and United States military are getting rey to hold three-day bilateral talks in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, Nepal Army spokesperson Brigier General Krishna Pras Bhandari was quoted as saying by  Kathmandu Post. Officials from  two ally countries, who established diplomatic relations in 1948, meet at highest diplomatic levels to discuss issues pertaining to  United States ncy for International Development (USAID) assistance, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) coordination and implementation; tre, security and defence cooperation. 

Nepal refused to participate in American State Partnership Program (SPP) in June last year. US Army h insisted that south Asian country ink SPP, which would enhance military assistance under programme. Nepal, however, refused to sign programme. Nepal Army h also requested sky trucks from US Army as well as  US-me Bell helicopters. Nepal h also earlier said that it might buy two MI-17 helicopters from Russia.

“Last year y [Nepal and US] discussed confirming priorities and exploring new opportunities for furr collaboration, leing to improved efficiency through greater information sharing in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” a statement published by  US re, according to Kathmandu Post.

Land Forces' talks to begin from March 27-29

Land Forces' talks between Nepal and US will begin from March 27 to 29 in Kathmandu. Nepal Army was given permission to go ahe with bilateral dialogue with US Army after a cabinet meeting on Monday. If executed, this would be fourth such meeting between US and Nepal armies to bolster defence and military cooperation. An estimated one-and-a-half dozen officials from both nations—Nepal and US— will participate in upcoming talks that will focus on expansion of Nepali peacekeepers, bolstering humanitarian assistance and disaster response, force professionalisation and enhancing experience and coordination between armies of two countries, according to Brigier Gen Bhandari. 

At crucial meeting, a Nepali major general and his American counterpart who will reportedly le talks will discuss key regional issues such as disaster response, relief, and preparedness, US assistance for Nepal Army personnel deployment and various peacekeeping missions. US Army will discuss supplying military hardware to Nepal Army.