China doles out $19.8 mn aid to Nepal

In a sign of growing proximity between both nations, China on Wednesday committed to provide neighbouring Nepal with NRs 1.42 billion (US $ 19.8 million) in military aid. Utpal Parashar reports.

Updated on: Mar 25, 2011, 02:44:45 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

In a sign of growing proximity between both nations, China on Wednesday committed to provide neighbouring Nepal with NRs 1.42 billion (US $ 19.8 million) in military aid.

Two agreements to this effect were signed by Nepal Army chief General Chatraman Singh Gurung and visiting Chinese Army chief General Chen Bingde here.

This is the biggest amount doled out by Nepal's northern neighbour as military assistance. China had earlier provided US $ 2.6 million in non-lethal military aid and communication logistics worth US $ 3 million.

Bingde who is leading a high level 15-member delegation arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday afternoon on a three day visit at the invitation of his Nepali counterpart.

Bingde's trip, the highest level military visit from China to Nepal in more than a decade, is expected to boost ties between both armies and address sensitive issues like handling of Tibetan refugees.

The latest Chinese largesse will include engineering equipment including heavy construction vehicles, medical equipment to NA's military hospital in Kathmandu and logistics for rescue operations.

In a statement Bingde stated besides benefiting both sides, increased cooperation between the two nations would help towards “maintenance of peace, stability and development in the region.”

During his stay, Bingde would also hold meetings with President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and Defence Minister Bishnu Poudel.

India is the biggest provider of military assistance to Nepal, but it stopped supplying lethal military aid since former king Gyanendra Shah's royal takeover in 2005.

Since signing of the peace deal in 2006 after a 10 year civil war, Nepal has sought weapons for training purposes. Though unofficial talks are on between both nations, supplies have not resumed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.