Joint Military Exercises: Nepali Army to Host 18 Nations in Exercise Shanti Prayas

The Nepalese Army is poised to organize joint military exercises with the armed forces of 18 nations, including prominent players like the United States of America, the United Kingdom, China, India, and Pakistan. The Nepali Army is gearing up for the fourth installment of Exercise Shanti Prayas, a multinational endeavor aimed at enhancing military preparedness and response in conflict-affected regions, in accordance with the United Nations’ directives.

Scheduled to unfold from February 20th to March 4th, the exercise will take place at the Nepal Army’s Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre (BPOTC) in Panchkhal. Essential training modules tailored to the needs of forces operating in volatile environments will be at the core of the exercise agenda.

This year’s iteration of Exercise Shanti Prayas will witness the participation of a diverse array of countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Mongolia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Uruguay, Fiji, Ghana, and Nigeria. The inclusion of such a wide spectrum of nations underscores the exercise’s growing importance on the global stage.

Among which, in Field Training Event (FTE) 689 people from 12 Platoon including 2 from Nepali Army and 10 from other countries, in Staff Training Event (STE) 110 people including 31 from Nepali Army and 79 from foreign army and Critical Enabler and Capability Enhancement (2CE) A total of 1125 people will participate in the event, including 269 from the Nepali Army and 57 from the foreign army, totaling 326 people.

Mr. Krishna Prasad Bhandari, the military spokesperson, affirmed that all necessary arrangements for the exercise have been finalized. He disclosed that a total of 19 nations, including Nepal, are set to partake in the event, reflecting the exercise’s broad international participation.

Exercise Shanti Prayas has a rich history, with its genesis dating back to the year 2000 when the inaugural edition was held in Nepal, featuring troops from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the United States. Subsequent editions in 2013 and 2017 witnessed a steady escalation in both participation and scope, with 850 soldiers from 23 nations and 1,135 soldiers from 29 nations respectively.

Assistant Military Spokesperson Mr. Krishna Prasad Bhandari underscored the significance of the forthcoming exercise, emphasizing that it will be conducted with the backing of the Global Peace Operation Initiative (GPOI) spearheaded by the US government.

The fourth edition of Exercise Shanti Prayas holds promise as a forum for fostering international collaboration and synergy in addressing complex security challenges, reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to promoting peace and stability both regionally and globally.

The upcoming exercise not only serves as a testament to the growing camaraderie among nations but also stands as a testament to Nepal’s pivotal role in facilitating such endeavors.