The power struggle between India and China, the historical conflict between India and Pakistan, the instability of Afghanistan, the domestic discontent emerging in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and recently in Nepal are adding to the security challenges in the South Asia region. The security landscape of the region seems to be affected by factors such as traditional military competition, strategic imbalance, religious-communal conflict, internal insurgency and external interference.

Security environment

The growing border tension between India and China, involvement in strategic partnerships like Quad, BRICS, Indo-Pacific strategy, maritime security, increasing efforts for regional influence and competition for dominance in trade routes have made this region a center of strategic conflict. There is constant instability between India and Pakistan due to the Kashmir dispute, cross-border terrorism, and nuclear arms race. A vivid example of this is the terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir and India's military action in response to it on May 7. A ceasefire was reached on May 10, but there is still uncertainty as to where the situation will go. The

now is the military balance and the increase in defense spending. The increase in India's defense budget, the expansion of China's military power, Pakistan's security strategy and spending on security despite economic weakness, and covert warfare seem to be worsening the regional power balance.

The collapse of the elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in Bangladesh, the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the unstable politics of Nepal as well as the anti-establishment activities emerging in recent days, the demand for a separate state in Baluchistan in Pakistan and Khalistan in India, including the economic crisis in Sri Lanka and the collapse of the Rajapakse family's rule, almost all countries in South Asia are facing the challenge of internal instability in one way or another. Non-traditional security threats have increased. Incidents like cyber attacks, climate change, epidemics, human trafficking, organized crime, cross-border terrorist and criminal activities seem to be increasing day by day.

Nepal's security challenges

Nepal's security challenges seem to be multifaceted, complex and non-traditional in nature. It is difficult to maintain a balance between the security interests of India and China and it is a situation where it has to depend entirely on external support and aid for defense technology and resources. Open borders and their regulation and management, international border disputes, increasing migration trends have also added challenges. Voices of ethnic, regional, linguistic, religious discontent, identity politics, anti-establishment activities, youth unemployment, forced foreign employment have also emerged as signs of security challenges.

There is no strategic plan to deal with challenges like cyber and information warfare, organized crime, human trafficking. Organizational structure, resources, materials, training play an important role in keeping security systems agile and sound. It does not seem to have been noticed. The setting of ``visit visa'' at the international airport immigration seems to create an environment where the world can feel a security threat due to Nepal on the one hand, but on the other hand, the possibility of not only exiting that place but also entering it cannot be ruled out. Therefore, Nepal's security challenges seem to be not only conventional but also multifaceted, complex and non-conventional as well as internal.

Nepali Army's role and challenges

Nepali Army has always been committed to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities under any circumstances to protect the country's freedom, sovereignty, geographical integrity, independence and national unity. The role of the Nepali Army in national security is becoming important, complex and changing with time, besides the traditional military security, it seems that the responsibility and role of the army is expanding in terms of non-traditional, multi-faceted and the concept of security of the people's wealth. The Nepali Army has been playing a significant role in internal conflicts, nature conservation, disaster management and contributing to world peace with its proud participation. However, it is not appropriate to ignore the fact that the foundation of the country's security will weaken if the wrong trends are not addressed in time, as well as timely strengthening of the organization to effectively deal with international, regional and internal security challenges.

A harmonious civil-military relationship is maintained by the army being fully professional and following every order given by the constitution of the civilian government. Due to the weak implementation of civilian supremacy, on the one hand, the army is not fully responsible and accountable to the civilian leadership, on the other hand, the society's respect and trust towards the army has not been fully realized. 

Maintaining political neutrality and professional integrity is part of the army's indispensable standards. Sometimes in recent days even the Nepalese army seems to have failed. It is against the interest of an institution with a glorious history like the Nepali Army to have financial irregularities in the plans of national pride including the military budget, welfare budget, recruitment selection etc. While the

leadership is in place, giving its own 'speech' as ​​a 'mahanvani' and writing in the barrack houses instead of the relevant statements from the tradition, and when the leadership changes, the new leadership has to be removed by the new leadership, seems to have caused confusion in the organization. Even in the system (fast track) implemented for the skill development of gross ranks including officers of the Nepali Army, there is a lack of thorough study and complete planning. The fact that internal challenges arise within the organization that runs on the concept of chain of command cannot be ignored. Without complete study, research and testing, the structure of the organization was changed in the year 2077, but the structure did not last even for a year. This seems to have a serious impact on the construction of a strong organization.

In the name of establishing 'methodology and system', due to the action taken against high-level officers of the Nepali Army for unjustified reasons, factions have been formed to some extent. Such activities affect not only the organization but also the nation. The propaganda done to justify some of the wrong actions taken to fulfill vested interests against financial irregularities and military discipline and conduct has only harmed the dignity of the institution. Therefore, every step of the military leadership has a direct impact on the professionalism, ability, strategic skills, morale of the military personnel and can have both positive and negative effects on the challenge. Civilian-military relations should be strengthened in order for the Nepali Army to properly carry out the responsibilities assigned by the nation. 

According to the essence of the constitution, there should be a system to keep the army under civilian control, but the task of empowering the defense ministry with restructuring is overshadowed. For transparency and accountability, the army should be able to establish a system of working in a way that does not cause disputes, especially in financial matters. A system should be developed to transparently implement matters of concern to soldiers such as transfer, promotion, peacekeeping forces.