Kathmandu, September 4
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli says the BIMSTEC military drill being organised in India is not part of a military pact.
PM Oli, who was speaking in Parliament, said that the military exercise is just part of regular regional military cooperation. Oli’s comments come as eyebrows have been raised over Nepal’s decision to take part in the drill.
Critics argue that by participating in the drill, Nepal is sending a negative message to other neighbours and breaching the principles of Panchaseel. Similarly, Nepali soldiers have never taken part in multilateral military drills, except for ones organised by the UN. The government has also not received a nod from the President to send army personnel to the exercise.
Prime Minister Oli, however, says the exercise is not intended to form a military pact.
