Indian Army Chief Honoured With Nepal Army’s Honorary General Rank

Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army by President Ramchandra Paudel during an investiture ceremony at Sheetal Niwas in Kathmandu on Monday. General Seth is on a four-day official visit to Nepal at the invitation of Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel. The honorary rank reflects the longstanding military ties between India and Nepal.

Nepal Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava and senior officials from the Nepal government and Army attended the ceremony. The tradition of conferring honorary general ranks on each other’s army chiefs dates back to 1950. The practice is regarded as a longstanding symbol of the close defence relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

Following the ceremony, General Seth met General Sigdel at the Nepal Army headquarters in Kathmandu. The two military leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and ways to strengthen bilateral defence and military cooperation. The Indian Embassy described the visit as reaffirming the longstanding army-to-army relationship between India and Nepal, built on mutual trust and shared values.

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General Seth also met Indian Ambassador Srivastava at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. Their discussions focused on ways to further strengthen comprehensive relations between New Delhi and Kathmandu. The Indian Army chief’s visit is taking place amid continued efforts by both countries to maintain and expand cooperation across areas of mutual interest.

During his visit to the Nepal Army headquarters, General Seth handed over military and medical equipment to the Nepal Army. He also planted a sapling on the premises and received and inspected a guard of honour. The activities formed part of his official engagements during the four-day visit.

The Nepal Army described the visit as an opportunity to further strengthen mutual trust and cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries. The honorary rank ceremony and discussions between the two Army chiefs underline the established defence links between India and Nepal. General Seth is scheduled to continue his official engagements in Nepal during the remainder of his visit.

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