- By Ajeet Kumar
- Tue, 06 May 2025 09:45 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A 12-member delegation of the Pakistan Army that is currently in Nepal on a six-day study tour has sparked debate in Nepal's House of Representatives, with one independent lawmaker raising questions about the visit. Students of the National Security and War Course (NSWC) under the National Defence University (NDU) of Pakistan arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday on a six-day study tour, according to a press release issued by the Nepal Army headquarters.
“The Pakistan Army officers' team is scheduled to visit various cultural and tourist spots around Kathmandu besides attending the training programme,” Nepal Army said.
What kind of message does the Nepal government want to convey?
However, independent lawmaker Amaresh Kumar Singh, speaking in the House on Tuesday, objected to this. “A delegation of the Pakistan Army has arrived in Nepal on Sunday at the invitation of the Nepal government at a time when there is tension in India-Pakistan relations and war can happen any time between the two countries,” Singh said, speaking during Zero Hour in the Parliament.
“What type of message does the Nepal government want to convey by inviting a Pakistan Army delegation?” Singh questioned.
Nepali Army reacts
However, Nepal Army spokesperson Gaurav Kumar K C has clarified that “it was a pre-scheduled programme and the delegation from Pakistan Army was on a regular visit to attend a training programme”. The spokesperson said such visits are fixed one and a half or two months in advance, and it is a regular and routine type of visit. “We have such arrangements with other countries as well,” he added.
India-Pakistan tensions
The tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours soared to a zenith following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 civilians, including a Nepali citizen. Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, the United Nations Security Council has held closed-door consultations where envoys called for restraint and dialogue. The consultations, held by the 15-nation Security Council, lasted about an hour and a half on Monday afternoon but no statement was issued from the Council after the meeting. Pakistan, currently a non-permanent member of the powerful Council, had requested "closed consultations" on the situation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
(With inputs from agency)