On/Off the Record
By P.R. Pradhan
The Nepal-US bilateral land forces talk between the Nepal Army and the US Army was held “successfully” in Kathmandu, according to the Nepal Army.
Deputy Commander Major General Christopher Smith of the US Pacific Command led the US delegation while Major General Ashok Sigdel led the Nepali delegation, reports state.
Smith led a 22-member delegation, whereas, Sigdel led a 14-member delegation also represented by officials from the ministries of foreign, finance and defense.
Of late, Nepal has denied joining the State Partnership Programme, yet, the US Military is keen to continue its support for Nepal.
Besides, the impending support under the SPP – providing two skytruck aircraft out of four committed by the US Army – also discussed and decided to release them by 2025. Two skytruck aircraft have already been handed over to the Nepal Army.
At a time when Nepal is preparing to procure the Russian helicopter MI-17, the Americans proposed to purchase Bell helicopters.
The US is going to provide two M28 block 05 Skytrucks to Nepal. The Aerospace manufacturer Polish PZL Mielec has won a $30.4 million contract to provide light transport aircraft to the Army’s air wing.
The order is expected to be processed by 2025.
These are the indications that the US Army wants to strengthen relations with the Nepal Army in another form even after SPP is rejected by Nepal.
Mission High Altitude:
The US Army is learnt to have requested the Nepal Army for organizing joint military exercises in the remote northern part of Nepal including Mustang and Manang, close to the border with China. The US Army has focused on the Mission High Altitude in continuation of the joint military exercise. For a long time, both armies are conducting joint military exercises aimed at the search and rescue operation.
The American army has proposed conducting such training in the Upper Mustang and Manang also.
According to sources, the Nepal Army has allotted some seats for the American army for high altitude and mountain warfare training in Jomsong in the Mustang district. How many seats have been provided, it has not been disclosed. Around 150 to 200 American army personnel receive such training in Nepal every year.
Earlier, the US Army had wished to conduct its high-altitude drone test in the remote northern part of the country, close to the Chinese border. The Nepal government rejected this American mission.
Government irritating China:
The present coalition government, in the process of irritating China and pleasing the Indo-Waste groups, has included a clause “resolving the border disputes with neighbouring countries” in the common minimum programme. Instead of pointing out the border dispute with India, the present coalition government has dragged China by stating “neighbouring countries”. China believes there is no border dispute between Nepal and China. Earlier, the government led by K.P. Sharma Oli of the then Communist Party of Nepal, in which, Pushpakamal Dahal was the co-chairman, had clarified that there was no border dispute between Nepal and China. However, the Nepali Congress, which was in opposition, blamed China for encroaching on Nepali territory in Humla. Following the Nepali Congress’ line, PM Dahal has included such a clause in the common minimum programme, reports Sanghu vernacular weekly.
Moreover, PM Dahal has already sent a message to China by cancelling his visit to Boao Forum in Hainan Province. PM Dahal is preparing for a visit to Delhi soon. The message is clear, PM Dahal is creating distance with Beijing and trying to develop close relations with Delhi and Washington.
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