NDC delegation from India concludes five-day Nepal visit

KATHMANDU: A delegation from the 64th course of the National Defence College (NDC), India, comprising 21 senior officers from the civil services and defence forces of India, as well as from friendly foreign countries including Australia, Bhutan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Oman, and the USA, concluded its visit to Nepal from 01 Sep 2024 to 05 Sep 2024.

The delegation, led by Rear Admiral Sandeep S. Sandhu, NM, Senior Directing Staff (Indian Navy), paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. K P Sharma Oli, the Hon’ble Minister for Home Affairs, Mr. Ramesh Lekhak, the Hon’ble Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, and the Hon’ble Minister for Defence, Mr. Manbir Rai.

The team also met with the Officiating Chief of Army Staff, Nepali Army, Lt Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel, to discuss matters related to bilateral military cooperation.

The delegation visited the Nepali Army Headquarters in Kathmandu and the Western Division Headquarters, engaging in discussions to enhance defence cooperation between the two nations.

The National Defence College of India is one of the premier institutions globally for the training of senior defence and civil service officers on higher national direction and strategy. The course is attended by officers from the armed forces of friendly foreign countries.

Currently, four officers from the Nepali Army are participating in this prestigious course, and 15 serving Nepali Army officers, including the outgoing COAS Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma, are distinguished alumni of the NDC. Officers from the Nepali Army who have graduated from the National Defence College, New Delhi, have gone on to hold critical positions in their respective fields.