• The launch of Sagarmatha Friendship-2025, the joint military exercise between the Nepali Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), underscores the deepening defence engagement between the two neighbours.
• Held in Kathmandu until 16 September 2025, the drill highlights shared priorities in counter-terrorism, disaster management, and contributions to United Nations peacekeeping.
• Since its inception in 2017, the biennial exercise has alternated between Nepal and China, symbolising not only growing interoperability but also Kathmandu’s careful balancing act in regional geopolitics.
• The inclusion of cultural exchanges and sports alongside tactical drills reflects an effort to build trust and understanding beyond the battlefield.