CoAS Sharma Returns from IPACC in India

Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhuram Sharma has returned to Nepal after successfully concluding his visit to India. The CoAS arrived home on Thursday following his participation in the 13th edition of the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference (IPACC) held in New Delhi, India.

Upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, CoAS Sharma was warmly welcomed by Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Saroj Pratap Rana, along with other high-ranking Nepalese Army officials and representatives from the Ministry of Defense. CoAS Sharma had departed for the conference on September 24.

The IPACC, a prestigious gathering of military leaders, saw participation from 30 countries, including 18 nations represented by their Army Chiefs and 12 countries by their Heads of Delegations. The conference primarily aimed to foster discussions on security and contemporary issues, with a key focus on promoting “Peace and Stability” in the Indo-Pacific region.

The event commenced on September 25, 2023, with an initial meeting between General Randy George, Chief of Staff (COS) of the U.S. Army, and General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army. During this meeting, both Chiefs engaged in constructive dialogues on mutual interests and shared insights into contemporary challenges.

The conference concluded with a grand Closing Ceremony at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantt on September 27, 2023. During this event, the Indian Army handed over the IPACC and IPAMS flags to the U.S. Army, marking the end of the conference.

During his stay in New Delhi, COAS Prabhuram Sharma held various meetings with counterparts from Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and India, as well as India’s Chief of Defense Staff (CDS).

Additionally, COAS Sharma visited the National Defense College (NDC) in New Delhi. During this visit, he delivered a lecture to students and trainers participating in NDC-63, focusing on the contribution of the Nepali Army in nation-building and strengthening Nepal’s foreign policy. The interaction with officials from friendly countries allowed for the exchange of experiences on common interests, including human security, and further enhanced Nepal’s relations with related countries.

During the visit, the Nepali Army stated that they had the opportunity to engage in discussions with officials from various friendly countries, allowing them to exchange experiences on matters of mutual interest, such as human security.

Furthermore, the army believes that this interaction has contributed to fostering greater harmony in Nepal’s relations with these respective countries.

CoAS Prabhuram Sharma’s participation in the IPACC reaffirms Nepal’s commitment to regional security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.