The Nepal Army has stated that it has not entered into any agreement with the United States regarding the State Partnership Program (SPP).

The Directorate of Public Relations and Information of the Nepal Army has issued a press release today stating that it has drawn its attention to the media reports about the SPP. The statement said that the Nepal Army had not entered into any agreement or understanding with the US military or the US government regarding the SPP and that there is no process to reach such an agreement in the coming days.

The statement also said that the military has always been clear and vigilant that no military agreement should be reached with anyone in the future that would adversely affect Nepal’s non-aligned foreign policy, Nepal’s unique geopolitical position and strategic sensitivities.

Meanwhile,the US embassy said that in 2015 and 2017, the then Chief of Army Staff Rajendra Chhetri had applied to join the SPP twice and the offer was accepted in 2019.