Kathmandu 4th September : Indian Army chief Gen Manoj Pande arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday.In his trip, which was made at the request of his Nepalese counterpart Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma, he is leading an 11-member group.
During his visit General Pande will meet with President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also Defence Minister and will also hold delegation- high-level talks with Gen Sharma, his counterpart.Gen Sharma, where both sides will discuss a variety of issues related concerns relating to defence and military cooperation according to Nepal Army.
It is anticipated that both sides will debate Agnipath which is the Indian government’s new scheme for recruitment for soldiers, under which 75 percent are set to retire after four years, and will receive a bonus while the remaining 25 percent will be able to complete their term and will be eligible for pension.
Nepali youths were also recruited in the Indian Army for a long period of time, but Nepal is reluctant to join forward due to the new plan.
The Nepal government hasn’t allowed the recruitment process demanded by the Indian side.
Nepali officials have said that in addition to other regular defence and military questions among Nepal and India as well as the Agnipath scheme will be discussed during the trip.
In keeping with a history of friendship between the two armies and the Indian Army chief will be awarded with the honourary grade of General of Nepal Army on September 5 in an event held in Sital Nivas, the official residence of the President.
According to the schedule, Pande is scheduled to visit the Nepal Army headquarters where he will pay tribute to the fallen soldiers and engage in conversations with the top leaders of the Nepali Army.
He will deliver 10 armored personnel carriers to the Nepal Army as a gift from the Indian Army.
Pande will visit the Nepali Army Command and Staff College during his stay.
Pande is also expected to interact with the students and the faculty of the Nepali Army Command and Staff College at Shivpuri.He is scheduled to also meet with the Prime Minister Deuba on the 6th of September.
“India-Nepal relations are long-standing multifaceted and characterized by common civilisational and cultural relations, in addition to trust and respect.India is committed to its relations with Nepal in conformity with its “Neighbourhood First and the ‘Act East’ policy.
This trip will give Nepal an opportunity to assess the status of the current bilateral defence ties and increase collaboration in the areas of mutual importance,” said a statement released by the India’s Ministry of Defence ahead of his Nepal visit.
giri/vd
