Kathmandu, 17 August (H.S.): Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth formally began his official visit to Nepal on Monday. After arriving in Nepal on Sunday evening, General Seth began his engagements on Monday by visiting the Martyrs’ Gate at Sainik Manch in Kathmandu, where he paid homage to the brave martyrs.

He was subsequently accorded a Guard of Honour by the Nepal Army at Sainik Manch in Tundikhel. General Seth also inspected the Guard of Honour during the ceremony.

Following the Guard of Honour, General Seth proceeded to the Nepal Army Headquarters, where Chief of the Nepal Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel accorded him a formal welcome. Senior and top-ranking officers of the Nepal Army were also present on the occasion.

A formal bilateral meeting between General Seth and General Ashok Raj Sigdel was held at the Nepal Army Headquarters, also known as Jangi Adda. The two military chiefs discussed various issues of mutual cooperation, including ways to further strengthen the long-standing historical and traditional military ties between India and Nepal.

During the meeting, the Nepal Army’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) also briefed the Indian Army Chief on the major activities and initiatives undertaken by the Nepal Army so far.

A significant ceremonial event is also scheduled to be held during General Dhiraj Seth’s visit to Nepal. Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel will confer the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army on General Seth on Monday afternoon.

The honour has a special place in the military relations between India and Nepal. The long-standing tradition of conferring the honorary rank of General on the army chiefs of the two countries in each other’s armed forces is regarded as a symbol of the close and enduring military ties between India and Nepal.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar