NA's professional capacity is admirable: Defense Minister Upreti

Defense Minister Hari Prasad Upreti has said Nepal Army's role in national security and other responsibilities was admirable.

In his inaugural address to the Nepal Army's division chief coordination meeting at Nepal Army Headquarters on Sunday, Minister Upreti reminded that the performance of NA during the COVID-19 pandemic was quite unforgettable. He viewed the NA should always stay ready for minimizing threats to security seen from the domestic and foreign levels by deeply analyzing and evaluating the situation.

The Defense Minister also stressed the need for modernizing Nepal Army time to execute constitutionally assigned responsibilities and promote national interest. The Minister vowed to extend support and coordination to the NA in ensuring national security in the guiding documents as the NA's Perspective Plan-2087, NA's Organizational Restructure-2078 (revised), and enforcing the National Security Policy, and the Defence Policy.

He further said the Ministry would extend full support and cooperation to the NA to complete the national pride projects like Kathmandu-Taria/Madhes Expressway, and other corridors.

On the occasion, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhuram Sharma said the NA has the main responsibility to protect and promote national independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national unity. Similarly, the NA has been looking after the threats relating to climate change, wildlife and ecosystem, natural disasters, pandemic, cyber, food and energy, society, and diplomatic issues.

CoAS Sharma informed that NA had been conducting various pieces of training internally and with the collaboration of foreign militaries to address both traditional and non-traditional threats, and stay aware.

He pointed out the need for equipping the National Disaster Management Academy which was established to produce skilled human resources required for disaster response. The robust security system is the foundation of national development and sustainable national security.

CoAS Shama also viewed that modernization of NA was imperative to address multidimensional aspects of national security and reduce threats.

----