On 7 December 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies Acting Director COL David Lamm, USA (Ret.) and Academic Dean Dr. Roger Kangas hosted Nepal’s Ambassador Sridhar Khatri and Defense Attaché Brigadier Bhuwan Satyal, at NESA Center offices for discussions on collaboration opportunities and upcoming programs.

NESA faculty presented details on the upcoming Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) program, to be hosted in Nepal in January 2024 for the first time, and Professor Jeffrey Payne’s strategic networking in the Indian Ocean and Subcontinent region. Ambassador Khatri highlighted Nepal’s interest in education and the preparation of national security professionals, particularly regarding the establishment and functions of a national security council and the preparation of national security strategies. He also led the group through an extended dialogue on inter-ministerial participation in senior leader programs such as the Nascent National Defense University (NDU) in Kathmandu.

^{NESA Center leadership and faculty members in discussion with Nepal Ambassador Sridhar Khatri (back left) and Defense Attaché Brigadier Bhuwan Satyal (back right).}

The NESA Center team discussed the proposed Nepali NDU design team visit to the U.S. National Defense University and other U.S. PME schools in April of 2024 and different approaches we might take in sharing expertise among relevant institutions in the USA and Nepal. Brigadier Satyal noted the Nepal Staff College’s interest in NESA support for subject matter expert lectures, distance and resident learning opportunities, as well as the development of the Nepali NDU. The ambassador closed by reiterating a solid interest in and in support of NESA programs and engagement with Nepal. NESA faculty in attendance were Professors Charles Marks, Jeffrey Payne, Dr. Wayne Clark, and Richard Wiersema.

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