The Additional Directorate General of Public Information of the Indian Army shared the details of the talks on X, stating that the talks reaffirmed the commitment to mutual growth in defence capabilities, aiming to foster deeper bilateral ties built on shared interests and trust.

India and Israel have long enjoyed close cooperation across multiple domains. In 2024, the two countries held the 17th India-Israel Foreign Office Consultations, highlighting the strength of their strategic partnership. These talks included an exchange of views on key regional matters, including the situations in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

In a related development, Lieutenant General Batoo Tshering, the Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army, recently concluded his six-day visit to India. The Indian Army highlighted that the visit further reinforced military cooperation between India and Bhutan, while exploring new avenues for defence collaboration. The strong, historic ties between the two countries were emphasized during this diplomatic exchange.

These ongoing dialogues and visits highlight the strengthening of defence relations in the region, promoting peace and security through mutual collaboration and trust.

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This collaborative exercise aims to strengthen the bond between the two nations while providing an opportunity for soldiers to share best practices, enhance interoperability, and foster unity in joint operations. The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) shared details on the social media platform X, stating, “The 18th edition of Exercise #SuryaKiran, a joint military exercise between #India and #Nepal, is scheduled to be held at Saljhandi, Nepal from 29 December 2024 to 13 January 2025.“

The primary focus of the exercise includes jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) as outlined under the United Nations Charter. The ADGPI further emphasized the cultural and strategic ties between the two nations, highlighting how Exercise Surya Kiran fosters friendship and mutual trust while offering a productive platform for both armies to engage effectively.

This annual event is a testament to the strong relationship between India and Nepal, showcasing the unwavering commitment of both nations towards enhanced defence cooperation.

High-Level Military Engagements

Earlier this month, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Nepali Army, visited India from December 11 to 14. During his visit, several productive discussions were held with his Indian counterpart, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army.

The visit facilitated key engagements between senior leaders from both nations, further strengthening the foundation for enhanced military collaboration. Discussions yielded agreements to boost operational and technological capabilities in the Nepali Army, including expanding the scope of joint exercises.

As part of the defence cooperation, General Dwivedi announced the transfer of a target practice drone and medical equipment for field hospitals to the Nepali Army. General Sigdel also toured Indian defence industries such as Tata Aerospace & Defence Ltd (TASL) and Bharat Forge in Pune.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

One of the highlights of General Sigdel’s visit was his participation as the Reviewing Officer for the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun. Additionally, he was conferred with the Honorary Generalship of the Indian Army—a reflection of the longstanding friendship and mutual respect between the two countries.

The visit and subsequent agreements underscore the shared commitment to broader defence cooperation and strategic alignment between India and Nepal, paving the way for deeper collaboration in military and defence-related areas.

Exercise Surya Kiran is a continuation of these efforts, offering a robust platform for both armies to enhance their joint operational effectiveness while deepening the historical ties of trust and friendship.

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