Indian National Defence College Delegation Visits Nepal to Strengthen Military Ties
A 21-member delegation from the 64th course of India’s National Defence College (NDC) completed a five-day visit to Nepal on September 5, 2024. The delegation, led by Rear Admiral Sandeep S Sandhu, NM, included senior officers from India’s civil services and defence forces, as well as representatives from Australia, Bhutan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Oman, and the USA.
During their visit, the delegation met with several high-ranking Nepali officials, including Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, and Defence Minister Manbir Rai. They also held discussions with Lieutenant General Ashok Raj Sigdel, the Officiating Chief of Army Staff of the Nepali Army, focusing on enhancing bilateral military cooperation.
The visit emphasized the strong military ties between India and Nepal, with discussions aimed at bolstering existing engagements and exploring new areas of collaboration. The delegation also visited the Nepali Army Headquarters in Kathmandu and the Western Division Headquarters, fostering further discussions on defence cooperation.
The National Defence College of India is a globally recognized institution that offers advanced training to senior defence and civil service officers. The visit reaffirmed the longstanding educational and defence cooperation between India and Nepal, with several senior Nepali officers being alumni of the institution. Currently, four officers from the Nepali Army are enrolled in the NDC course.
The NDC continues to play a pivotal role in shaping international defence collaborations, with its alumni occupying crucial positions in their respective countries and strengthening global defence networks.
Doubts Revealed
National Defence College -: The National Defence College (NDC) is a top military training institution in India where senior military officers and government officials learn about national security and strategy.
Delegation -: A delegation is a group of people chosen to represent a country or organization in discussions or events. In this case, it is a group from India’s National Defence College visiting Nepal.
Rear Admiral -: A Rear Admiral is a high-ranking officer in the navy. Rear Admiral Sandeep S Sandhu is the leader of the visiting delegation from India.
Military Ties -: Military ties refer to the relationship and cooperation between the armed forces of two countries. Here, it means the connection between the Indian and Nepali military forces.
Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli -: K.P. Sharma Oli is a political leader in Nepal who has served as the Prime Minister. He is one of the high-ranking officials the delegation met.
Kathmandu -: Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal. It is where the delegation visited key military headquarters.
Military Cooperation -: Military cooperation means working together in military activities, such as training, exercises, and sharing information. The visit aimed to enhance this cooperation between India and Nepal.
Educational and Defence Partnership -: This refers to the collaboration between India and Nepal in both military training and education, helping each other to improve their defence capabilities.