New Delhi, August 22, 2025 – The fifth edition of the Nepal-China joint military exercise, named “Sagarmatha Friendship,” is scheduled to commence on September 6, 2025, in Nepal, as announced by Manoj Kumar Acharya, spokesperson for Nepal’s Ministry of Defence. This development is being closely monitored by India, given its strategic interests in the region and long-standing military ties with Nepal.

The exercise, which will span ten days, will involve around 150 military personnel from the Nepali Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). It aims to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, disaster management, and other specialized skills. The training will cover critical areas such as rappelling, improvised explosive device (IED) detection and disposal, checkpoint operations, infiltration tactics, and armed rescue missions. This follows the fourth edition held in Chongqing, China, which focused on joint counter-terrorism operations in urban environments.

Nepal’s military engagement with China began in 2017, with the first joint exercise marking the start of the “Sagarmatha Friendship” series. The drills, paused in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed in 2023. According to Acharya, these exercises are part of Nepal’s routine bilateral and multilateral military engagements aimed at sharing expertise and professional knowledge. The location of the 2025 exercise remains undisclosed.

From India’s perspective, the Nepal-China military collaboration raises strategic concerns, given Nepal’s geographic proximity and India’s historical influence in the region. India has maintained a robust military partnership with Nepal through the annual “Surya Kiran” exercise, a battalion-level engagement involving approximately 300 soldiers from both nations. Conducted for the past 19 years, “Surya Kiran” focuses on disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and high-altitude warfare, aligning with India’s broader security and humanitarian objectives in the region.

Nepal also participates in other multilateral exercises, such as the “Pacific Angel” drill with the United States, emphasizing disaster management and peacekeeping under the United Nations framework. Acharya emphasized that the Nepal-China exercise is part of a broader practice of engaging with nations that share diplomatic ties with Nepal, including India and the US.

Recent preparatory discussions for the Nepal-China exercise took place in Chengdu, China, where a Nepali Army delegation met senior PLA officials to finalize arrangements. While Nepal views these exercises as routine, India remains vigilant, particularly in light of China’s growing influence in South Asia. The Indian government continues to strengthen its defence and diplomatic ties with Nepal to ensure regional stability and counterbalance external influences.

As the “Sagarmatha Friendship” exercise unfolds, India will likely keep a close watch on its scope and outcomes, ensuring that its strategic partnership with Nepal remains robust amid evolving regional dynamics.