Mt Everest Friendship Exercise

Nepal and China conducts second joint military exercise in Sichuan province The second edition of Nepal-China joint military exercise named Mt Everest Friendship Exercise-2018 (Sagarmatha Friendship-2018)

commenced in China's southwestern Sichuan province.

• The 12 day long joint exercise will focus on combating terror and disaster management trainings.
• Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mt Everest, which stands in between both the countries.

About the Mt. Everest Friendship Exercise:

• This will be the second time that Nepal Army will participate in joint military drill with People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China.
• The first such exercise was held in April 2017 at Nepal Army's Para Training School in Maharajgunj in Kathmandu (capital of Nepal).
• This joint exercise is aimed at promoting military relations and enhance interoperability between the armies of Nepal and China.
• In the second edition of exercise, 12 military personnel from Nepali Army will visit China.
• It will mainly focus on anti-terrorism activities.
• Disaster management training will also be imparted in this edition of exercise.

Interesting to know:

• The joint training with China marks Nepal's extension of military diplomacy.
• Nepali army has long been conducting joint military drills with countries like India and United States.
• This exercise does appear unconventional as Nepal has been conducting battalion-level exercises named 'Surya Kiran' with the Indian Army for last 13 years, engaging some 300 personnel from both sides (It is largest exercise in terms of troop's participation in a series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries).
• However, Nepal's bilateral military engagement with China does not violate India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950) which permits free movement of people and goods between the two countries and a close relationship and collaboration on matters of defence and foreign affairs.

Question:

Q. Name the second edition of Nepal-China joint military exercise that commenced in China's southwestern Sichuan province?
a. Mt Kilimanjaro Friendship Exercise-2018
b. Mt Everest Friendship Exercise-2018
c. Mt Kanchunjunga Friendship Exercise-2018
d. None of the above