INDIAN ARMY CHIEF TO VISITS LESOTHO

The Indian army Chief of Staff Major General K.S. Jamiral will be in Lesotho on a three day visit from Sunday 22 September 2002. Addressing the press about the visit,  the Indian army Security Advisor who is currently training Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), Brigadier Jasbir Singh said Major General K.S. Jamiraj would be accompanied by Major Anuraj Sharma. Brigadier Singh said while in the country the delegation would meet government and LDF representatives.

He said the Indian army team would also assess and evaluate the training programmes that the Indian army has carried out in the country. He said the Indian team would interact with the Indian army currently training LDF, adding that the visiting team would also witness training that would be conducted at Makoanyane Barracks on Monday 23 September,2002. He said the visit of Indian army would strengthen the already warm existing relationships between the two countries.

The Indian army, which is headed by Brigadier Singh, is engaged in intensive training of the Lesotho army in an attempt to, among others, make it professional, citizen friendly and apolitical. Since arriving here, a year ago following the 1998 political upheavals and LDF mutiny, the Indian army has trained over 600 soldiers and hopes to further their training programme until the army is fully professional. Besides exchanging programmes, which are already undertaken between Lesotho and India, both countries are also engaged in cultural exchange programmes.

18 September 2002