Kathmandu: Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka has said that the government of Nepal has not at all thought about the reducing the existing size of Nepal Army. While addressing National Assembly on Thursday, he said that the size of the national defense force has been determined by the national need. “The size of Nepal Army was fixed based on national need, the then prevailing circumstances, national and international contexts,” he said. “The same considerations will determine its future size.”
He further said that Nepal Army has forever actively worked for border security and protection of territorial integrity. “Our nation will remain until the existence remains. Nepal Army is committed for border security, for territorial integrity and for the protection of the nation,” he said. “Nepal Army has been fulfilling its responsibility with utmost discipline.”
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While appreciating the national defense force for the role it has played in UN peacekeeping mission he said Nepal Army has won the hearts and minds of people in conflict-ridden nations. “The trust and ownership displayed by people in those countries for Nepal Army is worth of pride, its psychological impact has been felt across the globe.”
Defense Minister’s statement comes in the wake of proposal forwarded in parliament by some lawmakers to right-size Army force.
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