Kathmandu, 06 August (H.S.): Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth will arrive in Kathmandu on August 16 for a five-day official visit to Nepal. The visit is being undertaken at the formal invitation of Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Sigdel and is expected to further strengthen the longstanding military cooperation and defence ties between India and Nepal.

During his visit, General Dhiraj Seth will be conferred with the prestigious title of ‘Honorary General of the Nepal Army’ by Nepal. The honour is considered a symbol of the traditional friendship, mutual trust and close defence cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.

Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel will confer the honorary title on the Indian Army Chief at a special ceremony to be held at the President’s official residence, Shital Niwas, on August 17. Senior officials from the Nepal government, Nepal Army, and Indian military and diplomatic establishments are expected to attend the event.

Under a decades-old tradition between India and Nepal, the chiefs of the armies of both countries are conferred with the honorary rank of General of each other’s armies. The tradition began in the 1950s and is regarded as a reflection of the unique defence relationship shared by the two nations.

During his stay in Nepal, General Dhiraj Seth is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with senior officials of the Nepal Army. Discussions are expected to focus on issues including border security, military training, joint exercises, disaster management, capacity building and further strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar