Kathmandu, Nov 29: China’s Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe on Sunday met Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and held talks with Nepal Army chief Gen Purna Chandra Thapa on various issues of bilateral interest, aimed at bolstering bilateral military cooperation and taking the existing friendly ties to a new height.
Gen Wei, who is also a State Councillor, held bilateral talks with Army chief Gen Thapa at the army headquarters here during his day-long “working visit” to Nepal, said a statement issued by the Nepal Army.
“The two held a cordial discussion on various issues of bilateral interest,” it said.
“Bilateral discussions were then held at the delegation-level mainly on issues pertaining to resumption of training and student exchange program and follow up on defence assistance that have been impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement said. The Chinese defence minister is leading a 21-member delegation. It said the Chinese minister viewed both the proposals “positively and affirmed that the bilateral cooperation should resume as soon as possible, including exchange of high level visits.”
He also pledged to provide additional assistance to the Nepali Army in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the statement said. The Nepali Army expressed confidence that “the visit will help in further strengthening and expanding the cordial military-to-military relations between the two countries.”
Gen Wei also took part in various programs organised at the Army Headquarters. “After the bilateral meeting, General Wei and his delegation were given a short presentation on the history and roles of the Nepali Army,” the army statement said.
He was also presented with a Guard of Honour. The Chinese defence minister paid courtesy calls on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Oli, who also holds the defence portfolio. (PTI)
