India and Nepal share a unique relationship that transcends conventional diplomatic paradigms bound by history, culture, geography and people-to-people ties. In recent years, India’s relationship with Nepal has been fraught with minor issues and tensions. With South Asia presenting significant security challenges, India’s relationship with neighbouring countries is vital for regional stability and particularly Nepal because of the strategic value of the Himalayan frontier. Despite the challenges, defence cooperation between Indian and Nepal has been seamless with defence exercises and mutual army chief’s visits. These developments in defence express our steadfast dedication to build this essential relationship further.
The foundation of defence cooperation was laid in the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship which provided a framework for security collaborations with high level military exchanges, joint training programs, and bilateral defence consultations. Over the decades, this relationship has evolved, including joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and disaster response cooperation. India and Nepal also share a unique tradition of conferring honorary ranks in both armies, a sign of mutual respect and trust. However, China’s growing influence in Nepal and its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) had added complexity to the relationship. In this context, military diplomacy has emerged as a key tool for India to reaffirm its ties with Nepal.
Military diplomacy thrives through frequent high-level visits between both nations. High-level visits, particularly by Army chiefs, play a crucial role in enhancing bilateral defence ties. These visits provide opportunities for dialogue, understanding strategic perspectives, and identifying areas for collaboration. Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel recently met to discuss bilateral defence cooperation and regional security concerns. General Sigdel’s visit to India[1], spanning four days, represents concentrated efforts to strengthen defense cooperation. General Sigdel’s visit follows a visit by Indian Army chief Upendra Dwivedi’s 5-day visit to Nepal to strengthen defence ties where he was conferred the title of ‘General of Nepali Army’. President Draupadi Murmu conferred on General Sidgel rank of ‘General of Indian army’, a time-honoured tradition, for strengthening India-Nepal defence ties. This honorary tile symbolises long standing ties between India and Nepal and demonstrates mutual respect and trust.
General Sigdel of Nepal held high-level meetings with Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to further strengthen bilateral defence ties and explore new opportunities for further defence collaboration. As a result of these meetings, Nepal is getting advanced medical equipment provision for field hospitals, donation of target practice drones, enhanced scope of joint military exercises, and strengthened peacekeeping operation capabilities. These high-level exchanges facilitate strategic dialogue, enhance military-to-military cooperation, and provide platforms for discussing regional security challenges. The relationship’s strength is further evidenced through regular bilateral consultations, joint military exercises, and collaborative peacekeeping operations, creating a robust framework for addressing shared security concerns.
The Bilateral Consultative Group on Security Issues (BCGSI) serves as the main platform to promote defence and security cooperation. The 15th Meeting of the India-Nepal Bilateral Consultative Group on Security Issues (BCGSI) in Pokhara marked a significant advancement in strategic dialogue, bringing together officials from defence, foreign affairs, and home affairs ministries. The 15th Meeting of the BCGSI has deepened our commitment to expanding bilateral defence cooperation through better training and capacity building programs, joint military exercise and expeditions, and advanced information sharing mechanism.
India has played a crucial role in Nepal’s military development, providing essential training and equipment to support the Nepali Army’s modernization efforts. During his visit, General Sigdel visited Tata Aerospace and Defence limited (TASL) to get insights into India’s defence manufacturing and modernisation efforts. India’s commitment to Nepal’s military modernization has taken a significant step forward with recent technological and equipment transfers. The exchange demonstrates a concrete implementation of bilateral defense agreements, marking a new phase in military cooperation between the two nations.
Apart from defence cooperation, Indian army currently includes about 32,000 Gorkha soldiers from Nepal which shows our military partnership’s strength. Our military cooperation substantially benefits Nepal’s economy through pension payments to roughly 122,000 Indian Gurkha veterans. While the visit of General Sigdel was focused much in defence cooperation, the issue of Agnipath scheme of the Indian army remains unsolved. Nepal has expressed concerns over the recruitment of Nepalis under the agnipath scheme in the Gorkha regiment. The Agnipath scheme has transformed our traditional recruitment methods. This new system limits service terms to four years, and only the top 25% performers continue their military careers bringing new challenges to our traditional model, especially with long-term service benefits and pension structures.
Building on decades of military cooperation, India and Nepal are charting an ambitious course for future defense collaboration. The recent exchange between army chiefs has laid the groundwork for expanded partnerships in defense manufacturing, research, and military education. Nepal’s defence modernization goals align with India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities. General Sigdel’s visit to Tata Aerospace & Defence Ltd (TASL) and Bharat Forge in Pune signals a strategic shift toward defence industrial cooperation. These open new avenues of collaboration on equipment manufacturing, indigenous defence solutions, technology transfer, advanced military systems, joint testing protocols, and shared manufacturing expertise.
India also has training programs for Nepalese military personnel in Indian military academy and National defence academy. These programs enhance operational capabilities and improve inter-operability of the two forces. India-Nepal training cooperation has reached new heights with specialized programs focusing on counter-insurgency operations, peacekeeping missions, leadership development, and high-altitude warfare operations. Joint exercises like ‘Surya Kiran’ are held between India and Nepal to focus on critical areas like Drone operations and counter-drone measures, medical training and aviation aspects, environmental protection initiatives, and counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain. The joint training initiatives have established new benchmarks in bilateral military cooperation. The Kumaon Regiment from India and the Tara Dal battalion from Nepal demonstrated their commitment to shared security objectives through mountain warfare operations in inaccessible terrain, Counter-insurgency tactical response coordination, disaster management, humanitarian assistance protocols, and interoperability with shared operational procedures.
The enduring military partnership between India and Nepal stands as a testament to their shared commitment toward regional security and defense cooperation. Through decades of collaboration, both nations have built robust frameworks spanning joint military exercises, modernization initiatives, and strategic dialogue. These mechanisms have proven essential for addressing evolving security challenges while maintaining traditional bonds. Army chiefs’ mutual visits serve as powerful catalysts for strengthening bilateral defense ties. These high-level exchanges facilitate swift decision-making on crucial aspects of military cooperation, from technology transfers to training programs. The recent visit by General Sigdel exemplifies this dynamic, resulting in expanded defense partnerships and enhanced operational frameworks. . This progression, built on mutual trust and shared strategic interests, positions both nations to effectively address future security challenges in South Asia.
