KATHMANDU, June 17: Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhu Ram Sharma has clarified that the USA has not provided any weapons to Nepal. He claimed that the USA had so far provided only the necessary equipment to the NA during the disasters and had not provided any ammunition through the State Partnership Program (SPP).

Sharma also said that out of the four aircraft required to come to Nepal from the United States, two have been received so far. He mentioned that an air ambulance was coming soon as well. General Sharma said the planes came through SPP.

“Through SPP, we have received only necessary equipment needed for disaster management. We have not received any weapons, bombs or money. We have not received a single rupee of arms and ammunition from this program so far. They are not going to provide it, either,” Chief Sharma said. “Various false news reports regarding SPP have been spread at present. However, they are all wrong. They have not given any written instructions to NA or the Defense Ministry for any kind of wrongdoing. Also, we have not received such instruction and we will not follow them even if we do receive such instructions. NA has not done anything regarding such a serious issue without consulting, advising and discussing with the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministryof Foreign Affairs.”

Similarly, CoAS Sharma also said that the NA has never reached an agreement contrary to Nepal's foreign policy. He also mentioned that his visit would be aimed at strengthening the ties between the NA and the US Department of Defense, supporting Nepal's foreign policy and military diplomacy under foreign policy.

 
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