Surya Kiran-19: India–Nepal Armies Hold Joint Counter-Terror Exercise
Indian Army and Nepal Army jointly conducted two-day battalion-level validation exercise as part of 19th edition of Exercise SURYAKIRAN in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
The exercise highlighted seamless interoperability, synchronised mission planning and coordinated execution of combined tactical operations in a counter-terrorism environment.
During the exercise, the drills integrated a range of niche technologies including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and precision-targeting drones, advanced day and night weapon sights and AI-enabled surveillance feeds.
The Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India Army, Lt. General Manish Luthra and the DGMO of Nepal Army, Anup Jung Thapa jointly planted a Tree of Friendship, reaffirming the timeless bonds and strategic cooperation between both the nations.
IMF approves four-month extension of Nepal’s ECF arrangement
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on December 1 approved the Nepali authorities’ request for a four-month extension of the country’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.
The extension, which runs until May 11, 2026, is to provide sufficient time for the completion of the seventh review of the program.
The IMF Executive Board approved the 38-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement for Nepal on January 12, 2022, providing access to SDR 282.42 million—equivalent to 180 percent of the country’s quota—reads a statement issued by the International Monetary Fund.
The IMF Executive Board on May 1, 2023 approved an extension of the ECF arrangement until January 11, 2026, along with a rephasing of the program’s disbursements, according to IMF Country Report No. 23/158.
The Executive Board’s decision was taken on a lapse-of-time basis.
The Executive Board takes the decisions under its lapse-of-time procedure when a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.
SAARC celebrates 40th Charter Day
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) marked its historic 40th anniversary of the adoption of its charter on Monday, commemorating four decades since South Asian leaders endorsed the document during the first SAARC Summit in Dhaka on December 8, 1985.
The day has since been observed annually as SAARC Charter Day.
On the occasion, the Heads of State/Government and Foreign Ministers of SAARC Member States issued dedicatory special messages highlighting the importance of SAARC as a shared platform to foster mutual understanding, collaboration and solidarity in order to build a peaceful, prosperous and integrated South Asia.
Reaffirming their commitment to the ideals and founding objectives as articulated in the Charter, the leaders also acknowledged the imperatives of concerted efforts and meaningful action to harness economic potentials, achieve sustained and equitable development, and to address the shared challenges confronting the region bound by history, culture and destiny.
In addition, the leaders conveyed their felicitations and greetings to the peoples and Governments of the Member States on the occasion of the Charter Day.
In his message, Secretary General of SAARC Md. Golam Sarwar, extended gratitude to the esteemed Member States, Observer States, Development Partners, Diplomatic Missions, regional and international organizations for their invaluable cooperation and support to SAARC through all these years. He also wished for their continued goodwill and steadfast support in the years to come as well.
SAARC has journeyed far, Secretary General said, recounting briefly the journey of SAARC from its focus on institutional strengthening and norm setting in priority areas to the implementation of programs across an array of sectors with a view to materialize the collective aspirations of the people of South Asia. He also hailed the Charter Day as an important occasion to reflect on the past accomplishments and to forge renewed commitment to reinvigorate the SAARC process.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the adoption of SAARC Charter, the Secretary General of SAARC and his spouse will host a diplomatic reception in Kathmandu in the evening of December 9, 2025.
Gold price drops by Rs 1, 000 per tola on Tuesday
The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 251, 900 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 252, 900 per tola on Monday.
The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 3, 600 per tola.
3rd India-Nepal Cultural Festival organized in Lumbini
The Embassy of India in Nepal, in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust and Lumbini Buddhist University, organized the third edition of the India-Nepal Cultural Festival in Lumbini on Monday.
Krishna Bahadur Gharti Magar, Governor of Lumbini Province, Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Dr Lharkyal Lama, Vice Chairman of Lumbini Development Trust, and Dr Rakesh Pandey, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu jointly inaugurated the program.
Showcasing the shared cultural heritage and traditions of India and Nepal, the festival highlighted Buddhist history and values, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
The event featured a cultural program, with performances by renowned artists from both countries.
A six-member ICCR troupe led by Sandhya Kunjan Menon Das performed an Odissi dance recital with a Buddhist theme. The evening also included a traditional musical performance by a Nepali band ‘Ghugu Mugu’.
As a part of this festival, an academic seminar titled “India-Nepal Buddhist Heritage: A common Legacy” was organized at the Lumbini Buddhist University in the forenoon of 08 December 2025, according to the statement.
Eminent Buddhist scholars from India and Nepal discussed the significance of Buddhist heritage in strengthening cultural ties and fostering people-to-people connections between the two countries.
The event underscored the strong cultural and historical bonds between the two nations.
The event drew enthusiastic participation from civil society members, academics, senior monks, and members from the Lumbini Development Trust.
UML Vice Chair Pokharel submits documents for general convention (With photos)
CPN-UML Senior Vice Chairman Ishwor Pokharel on Monday submitted the documents he had prepared for the party’s upcoming general convention to General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, after Chairman KP Sharma Oli did not come to the office.
Earlier in the afternoon, Pokharel had visited the party office in Chyasal, Lalitpur, to meet Chairman Oli with the documents.






Gallery Baithak renovation likely to miss deadline (Photo feature)
The renovation of Gallery Baithak, a historic structure on the premises of Singha Durbar, which was damaged by the 2015 devastating earthquake is unlikely to be completed within the timeframe.
The Special Building Construction Project Implementation Office under the Ministry of Urban Development on June 2, 2024 had signed a contract with Prera Construction Services Pvt. Ltd. for the retrofitting of the building.

According to the agreement, the project valued at around Rs 390 million was to be completed on November 22, 2025.
Earlier on March 23, 2023, the Delegated Management and Government Assurance Committee of the National Assembly had issued a directive that the Gallery Baithak building be preserved as a heritage site.

The then Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher had constructed the Gallery Baithak as a private 'theater' on the premises of Singha Durbar in 1965 BS.
The first Parliament meeting was held in the same building on June 30, 1959 after the 1958 general elections.

The first session of the National Panchayat Assembly was also held in the same building on April 14, 1963.
Similarly, after the 1991 general election, Parliament started holding meetings in the same building.

The first meeting was held in the same building on April 28, 2006 after the formation of the interim government in 2006. The then rebel party, the Maoist also took part in the meeting.






Gen Z Joint Group sends demand letter to PM Karki by post (With Photos)
The Gen Z Joint Group on Monday sent a demand letter to Prime Minister Sushila Karki through the post office in Dilli Bazaar being unable to enter Singha Durbar to submit their list of demands.











