KATHMANDU, Aug 14: Expressing serious concerns over growing involvement of Nepal Army (NA) in joint military exercises with various countries, ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader Bhim Rawal has called for stopping such military exercises. 

Addressing the meeting of House of Representatives (HoR) Tuesday, Rawal said such military exercises both within Nepal and abroad in no way serve Nepal’s national interest and that such exercises should be discouraged. “Nepal’s constitution does not allow us to become part of any strategic alliance with any big powers and such types of alliances are not in the interests of Nepal as well,” said Rawal.

Rawal said although such exercises can be held on a limited scale to enhance natural disaster response capability, Nepal should not engage in any military exercises that involves large number of military personnel. The former defense minister urged the government authorities concerned to stop conducting such military exercises with big powers. 

The Nepal Army has been participating in various joint military exercises with big powers such as the US, China and even India in recent years. The NA has also participated in Disaster Response Exercise Exchange with Bangladesh, the UK, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Israel, India, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

 
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