Kathmandu, Oct. 18: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has laid emphasis for continuous research works, discussions and interactions on sensitive and serious issues of national security.

Inaugurating the Division Commander’s Coordinating Conference-2020 from the Prime Minister’s Office through online, the PM expressed the confidence that such a discussion and interaction programme would provide significant contribution to identify the national security challenges.

PM Oli, who is also the Minister for Defence, said that all the tasks to be performed with the involvement of NA are of top national importance and all the jobs done by the NA are the national achievements.

Recalling the roles of Nepal Army in prevention, recovery and control of COVID-19, and in the time of disasters like flooding, landslide and inundation, the PM praised the support provided by the NA from the federal to local levels in the fight against COVID-19.

On the occasion, PM Oli also recalled the contributions of NA in road construction to Chhangru of Darchula amid rough topography and unfavorable weather, and the road handover to the public. “As the Army’s history is prideful, the present is also equally reliable and credible,” the PM said.

Terming the NA’s performance an exciting one, the PM said that situation to be created from the current international and regional developments; security challenges and infrastructure development amid challenges; economic stability and the related issues were the immediate challenges of the time.

PM Oli also shared that individuals or groups active in creating terror by pushing the country to instability for their vested interests were the major challenges to the national security.

He also said that the top leadership in the Nepal Army should be alert as such incident may occur in the organization as well. PM Oli also opined to modernize the organization to fulfill the constitutional responsibility assigned to the Nepal Army.

Likewise, PM Oli directed the organization to continue keeping its faith to the people adding that transparency and honesty were growing in the organization.

The Chief of Army Staff Purna Chandra Thapa argued that the meeting will give guidelines to prepare action plans to tackle the trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similarly, Lieutenant General Prabhuram Sharma shared that the organization was receiving good support to materialize its goal and programmes from the government side.

The three-day meeting will discuss current security situation and future challenges.