KATHMANDU: Nepal and China signed an agreement regarding 150 million RMB (approximately Rs 2.5 billion) military aid to the Nepal Army.
Defense Minister Ishwor Pokharel, who is currently in China, signed the agreement on the assistance — worth 150 million RMB.
An agreement to this regard was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Ishwor Pokhrel, and Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe in Beijing today.
The assistance would be provided in three years. It was also mentioned during the recent Nepal visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Before signing the agreement, DPM Pokhrel, who is currently in China, held a discussion with General Wei on mutual assistance and bilateral interest.
DPM Pokhrel reiterated that Nepal was firm on Panchasheel, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and non-interference to internal affairs in terms of Nepal-China relations.
“Nepal and China have intimate and friendly relations which gained further height with President Xi’s visit to Nepal,” he reminded, extending thanks to the Chinese government for its assistance to Nepal’s socio-economic development.
He also made it clear that Nepal was firm on ‘One China Policy’ and it would not allow the use of its land against the neighbor.
Likewise, the Chinese Minister for Defense Wei thanked Nepal for its high-level of participation in the 9th Xiangshan Forum and 7th CISM Military World Games held recently in China.
He, on the behalf of China, expressed his happiness for being able to extend support to Nepal in its economic and military sectors’ enhancement and also said that the Chinese government was always positive to extend further support for the capacity-building of the Nepal military.
During the meeting, the two also expressed their opinion about the recent visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Nepal and assessed that the visit had helped the Sino-Nepal ties come closer.
On the occasion, Pokhrel extended an official invitation to his Chinese counterpart for Nepal.
The Nepali delegation led by DPM Pokhrel is currently in Beijing. Present in the meeting were Nepali Ambassador to China, Leelamani Poudyal, and Lieutenant General of Nepal Army Gaurav Tandul among others.
The issue was discussed and agreed during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping last week.
China had also provided assistance to the Nepal Army last year as well.
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