US Indo-Pacific Admiral Philip S Davidson Visits Nepal

Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Philip S Davidson arrived in Kathmandu on January 11, 2019.

The US Indo-Pacific Commander is on a visit to meet Nepal senior leadership and Nepal Army Chief Purna Chandra Thapa.

Post Davidson’s arrival, he met and held discussions with Thapa at the Nepal Army headquarters.

According to Nepal Amy Spokesperson Yam Prasad Dhakal, the meeting was a continuation of courtesy call for enhancing relations between Nepal and USA.

During the course of his visit, the US Indo-Pacific Commander Chief will also be meeting Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli Sharma, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwar Pokharel.

“The meeting will take place today [January 11, 2019] morning. We are not briefed about the agenda items to be discussed at the meeting. They may disclose the agenda at the meeting itself,” said Nepal Defense Ministry Spokesperson Baburam Gautam.

Besides meetings with Nepal senior leaders, the US commander will also visit Birendra Peace Operations Training Center at Panchkhal.

Earlier, on Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali’s visit to US, he sought USA’s support in upgrading the Panchkhal training center.

Amid other military discussions at the US-Nepal bilateral meeting, the two leaders also discussed the resolving of legal hurdles to procure over 6,000 M-16 from the US Government.

Nepal’s procurement law recommends that the payments are made on installment basis but US is asking for payment for the purchase in a lump sum.