Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Gaurav Shumsher Rana said the exercise was successful in providing a common platform to all participating military officers from 23 countries for professional peacekeeping working procedure to protect civilians. “It has helped the participating countries to learn about each other´s culture and share experiences,” said Rana.[break]
Lieutenant General Netra Bahadur Thapa said that the joint effort was helpful in understanding multidimensional challenges in global peacekeeping.
About 871 multinational military personnel, including 416 from the Nepal Army, participated in the military exercise that was jointly organized by the Nepal Army and the US Pacific Command.
Speaking at the function, US Ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde explained about the challenges in peacekeeping missions and urged the army officers to remain devoted to their duty to protect the people.
According to the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) of the Nepal Army, the US ambassador also pledged an assistance of US $ 10.7 million to enhance the skills of NA personnel, maintain the physical infrastructure of Birendra Peace Operations Training Center and procure training logistics. Praising the NA´s contribution to global peace keeping missions, he said, “Nepal has a long and leading position in global peace keeping missions.”
During the closing ceremony, CoAS Rana presented souvenirs to participating military officers. The ceremony was also attended by Defense Secretary Tilak Ram Sharma, envoys, former force commanders of peacekeeping missions and seniors NA officials.
More than 95,000 Nepali peacekeepers have already served in 39 UN peacekeeping missions and currently 3,834 Nepal Army personnel are deployed in 11 peacekeeping missions. Nepal has been a major troop contributor to UN peacekeeping missions since 1958. Exercise Santi Prayass III will be held in Indonesia in 2013.
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