Kathmandu- The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nepali Army, General Ashokraj Sigdel, is set to visit China to attend the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, military sources confirmed.
This trip will be General Sigdel’s first visit to China since his appointment as COAS on September, 9 2024 . China has invited him to the forum, which runs from September 17 to September 19, and has arranged an official visit to Beijing prior to the event. The Nepali Army has forwarded a request for approval to the Ministry of Defence.
During his stay, General Sigdel is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with senior Chinese military officials, including the Chinese defence minister. Officials expect discussions to cover issues of mutual interest and to explore avenues for enhanced military cooperation. Sigdel is also slated to deliver an address at the forum.
A military source said the COAS is likely to arrive in Beijing two to three days before the forum to hold these bilateral talks.
The annual Xiangshan Forum, organized in Beijing, draws defence chiefs, defence ministers, and security experts from across the Asia–Pacific region. Since 2006, China has promoted the forum as an alternative venue for dialogue on security, military partnerships, and multilateral cooperation.
General Sigdel previously visited New Delhi for a four-day official trip on invitation from Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. Although China extended an invitation to him in the year of his appointment, he did not travel at that time.
