The Indian Army contingent comprising 334 personnel departed for Nepal to participate in 18th edition of Battalion Level Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN.
Exercise Surya Kiran 2024
The Indian Army contingent comprising 334 personnel departed for Nepal to participate in 18th edition of Battalion Level Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN. The exercise will be conducted in Saljhandi, Nepal from 31st December 2024 to 13th January 2025. It is an annual training event conducted alternatively in the two countries.
The Indian Army contingent is being led by a Battalion from the 11th Gorkha Rifles. The Nepal Army contingent will be represented by Srijung Battalion. Exercise SURYA KIRAN signifies the strong bonds of friendship, trust, common cultural linkages that exist between India and Nepal.
It sets the stage for a productive and professional engagement, showcasing the unwavering commitment of both nations towards a broader defence cooperation. This edition of Exercise SURYA KIRAN follows successful visits by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff to Nepal, and the visit by General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff of Nepali Army to India.
India Nepal Relations
- As close neighbours, India and Nepal share a unique relationship of friendship and cooperation characterized by open borders and deep-rooted people-to-people contacts of kinship and culture.
- The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.
- Under this Treaty, the Nepalese citizens enjoy unparalleled advantages in India, availing facilities and opportunities at par with Indian citizens.
- Nearly 6 million Nepali citizens live and work in India.
- India is the largest trading partner of Nepal. Nepal is also India’s 11th largest export destination, up from 28th position in 2014.
- Total bilateral trade in 2021-22 reached US$ 11,005.10 million.
- Nepal exports more than 450 MW of electricity to India.
- India has built several hydroelectric projects, like Pokhara (1 MW), Trisuli (21 MW), Western Gandak (15 MW), and Devighat (14.1 MW) etc.
- The first high-capacity 400 kV Muzaffarpur (India) – Dhalkebar (Nepal) cross-border power transmission line was completed in 2016 with Indian funding.
