KATHMANDU: The 18th edition of joint military exercise ‘Suryakiran’ between the Nepali Army and the Indian Army concluded on Monday.

The military exercise had begun on December 31 at the Nepali Army Battle School in Saljhandi, Rupandehi.

In the closing ceremony of the joint military drill, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Pradeep Jung KC extended thankfulness to all the relevant agencies for their support in successfully completing the joint exercise.

Altogether 668 army personnel from both countries participated in the exercise, with the Nepali Army contingent led by Lieutenant Colonel Nirajan Katwal and the Indian Army contingent led by Colonel Japender Pal Singh.

Lieutenant General KC commended the professional competence, high level of dedication and collective commitment demonstrated by the military team of the both countries during the exercise.

Director of the joint exercise Brigadier General Suraj Gurung briefed about the joint exercise while his counterpart from the Indian Army Govindan Pravin delivered his remarks on behalf of the observer of the exercise.

According to the Nepali Army, the joint exercise covered wide range of topics such as disaster management, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, jungle warfare and humanitarian assistance among others.

The Nepal Army is confident that the exercise which has been conducted alternatively in Nepal and India since 2067 BS will further bolster the friendly and mutual ties between the two countries.

Furthermore, such activity is expected to develop professional skills of the army personal of the similar ranks and further enhance mutual understanding.