China and Nepal are to conduct joint anti-terror military drills “Sagarmatha Friendship” in September 2025.
Nepal maintains that these exercises are routine and are part of its broader policy of engaging with all nations with which it has diplomatic relations. The country also participates in joint military drills with other countries, including the United States.
The military exercises are to be held from early to mid-September 2025 and will cover comprehensive counter-terrorism drills, as well as training in disaster relief and peacekeeping operations.
This is the fifth joint training between the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Nepalese armed forces and it is aimed at enhancing the joint counter-terrorism capabilities and strengthening the tie between the two nations.
India has been monitoring the military exercise, which has been viewed as an effort by China to increase its influence in South Asia. India and Nepal have long-standing defence and diplomatic ties, with joint exercises like “Surya Kiran” conducted annually.
The Nepalese Prime Minister Oli will arrive in China on 30 August 2025 for a five-day official visit. He will attend the SCO plus Summit in Tianjin and preside over the military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Nepal is the dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which consists of Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus and China.
This year, China is the rotating chair of the 10-member bloc.
During his visit, Oli is to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and deliver an address at the SCO Plus Summit on 1 September 2025.
According to reports, China’s decision to invite foreign leaders to the event has not agreed well with Japan.
Japan has requested the world leaders to not to attend the Chinese event as it suggests anti-Japanese overtones.
In response to Japan, Beijing has lodged a diplomatic protest against Japan.
Others expected among the attendees are Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.
