India-Nepal Defence Cooperation: Ushering a New Era Amidst Competing Geopolitical Landscape

In the second week of November, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) India, General Upendra Dwivedi, visited Nepal for a five-day official visit. He was conferred the honorary general title from Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel. It is more than a seventy-five-year-old tradition between both armies where a COAS has conferred the title after taking charge when visiting the other country. Along with the India-Nepal bilateral armed forces exercise, Surya Kiran is also scheduled to happen this month in Nepal, and official communication on this has yet to be announced. The India-Nepal defence relations are based on solid historical premise, contemporary relevance, and strategic nuances. This essay will explore the same, particularly in light of China’s growing influence in Nepal.

Historical Ties Between Indian and Nepali Armed Forces

The relationship between the Indian and Nepali militaries dates back to the British colonial period. Nepal’s military power was recognised in the international arena during the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816). As a result, Gurkha troops were recruited into the British Indian Army through the Treaty of Sugauli. Since India became independent in 1947, this has been continued with Gurkhas serving in the Indian Army under a tripartite agreement between India, Nepal, and the UK. The unique bond is reflected in the tradition of awarding honorary titles to each other’s Army Chiefs, a practice that has been followed since 1950. This mutual recognition reiterates respect and camaraderie between the two forces. The recent visit of the Indian Army Chief reinforced this tradition. General Dwivedi was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army, symbolising this relationship’s long-term nature.

The Tripartite Agreement, after India’s independence in 1947, ensured that the Gurkha legacy continued when Gurkha regiments were divided between the British and Indian armies, which made sure the welfare of the Gurkha soldier and his family. There are about 40,000 Nepali Gurkhas in the Indian Army, divided into seven regiments whose gallantry is remembered in a myriad of military operations.

Contemporary Defence Cooperation

India remains Nepal’s leading defence partner, which provides assistance in terms of military aid, training, and equipment. Regular joint exercises, such as Surya Kiran, enhance operational synergy and address common challenges in disaster management, counter-terrorism, and border security. Nepal’s dependence on Indian military support is supplemented by comprehensive training opportunities. The IMA in Dehradun and other premier Indian institutions train hundreds of Nepali officers each year, promoting professional ties and strengthening the Nepal Army’s capacity.

Indian military modernisation is also supported by arms supply and infrastructure development in Nepal. Its armed forces are more often the first to be in place in any crisis situation- for instance, the 2015 earthquake showed that India’s quick humanitarian and logistical response meant support to Nepal’s security and stability.

India and China in Nepal’s Defence Space

Nepal is strategically located between India and China, which places it at the centre of regional geopolitics. Though India has been a tried and tested ally, China has been actively engaged with Nepal, even in defence cooperation with the PLA. India’s defence relations with Nepal have their roots in historical trust and shared cultural values. India differs from China in that it puts more emphasis on capacity building, mutual respect, and long-term partnership. India’s role in developing the capabilities of the Nepal Army and its assistance during crises has established it as a reliable partner.

China’s military engagement with Nepal has been visibly rising through several such initiatives and agreements that help to boost bilateral defence cooperation. China has emerged as an important supplier of military hardware to Nepal. The assistance varies from less lethal equipment, such as disaster relief equipment, to more strategic items, including light arms and vehicles. The PLA has provided logistics and engineering equipment, apparently for humanitarian purposes, but with dual-use capabilities. Chinese PLA and Nepali Army do a joint military exercise known as Sagarmatha Friendship. Recently, China has also started to provide military training to officers from Nepal, but unlike India, it trains foreign officers separately, and the Chinese officers are trained at different training spaces. It disables any sense of comradery between the officers, which is the case with India. There is a long tradition of friendship between Indian and Nepali military officers.

Conclusion

India and Nepal both have curated a longstanding friendship with each other based on the bedrock of such traditions as the conferring of honorary general titles to the army chiefs. As mentioned above, there is substantial defence cooperation which is happening between India and Nepal, but as China is trying to make inroads in South Asia, Nepal has developed as a competing space since then. Nevertheless, the comfort and ease that both Indian and Nepali militaries share with each other needs to be harnessed for the future growth of the region. Having said that, it must be noted that there are a few differences between the two militaries, which can be sorted out, but their legacy of working together for more than 200 years is something that needs to be preserved and expanded by both states.

Harsh Pandey is a PhD Candidate at the School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi.