Kathmandu, August 17: Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepalese Army to Indian Army Chief General Dheeraj Seth on Monday. This unique tradition has been in place since 1950, allowing both countries to bestow honorary ranks upon each other’s military leaders.
This tradition is believed to have significantly strengthened military relations between Nepal and India. During a special ceremony held at the Sheetal Niwas, the presidential office, President Paudel presented General Seth with the insignia of the honorary rank.
The event was attended by Nepal’s Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Chief Secretary Govind Bahadur Karki, Chief of the Nepalese Army General Ashok Raj Sigdel, former army chiefs, various ministry secretaries, the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, and defense attaches from friendly nations.
General Seth, who assumed office as the 31st Chief of the Indian Army on June 30, visited Nepal for four days at the invitation of General Sigdel. He led a five-member Indian Army delegation, which included his wife Komal Seth, the president of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA). Komal met with Nita Chhetri Sigdel, the president of the Nepalese Army Wives Association (NAWWA), at her office.
During their meeting, the Nepalese Army Wives Association shared information about various welfare activities they conduct. According to the Nepalese Army, General Sigdel is hosting a banquet in honor of General Seth and the visiting delegation on Monday evening.
Before receiving the honorary rank, General Seth paid a courtesy visit to General Sigdel. The Nepalese Army stated on social media, “During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen bilateral military relations between Nepal and India.”
During his visit, General Seth also inspected a Guard of Honor at the Nepalese Army headquarters. He paid tribute to fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the martyr’s memorial in the Army Pavilion on Monday.
Following General Seth’s arrival on Sunday, the Nepalese Army released a statement emphasizing that such high-level exchanges help reinforce the longstanding and close ties between the two armies. This visit is part of regular high-level military exchanges between Nepal and India, reflecting the traditionally close relationship between the armed forces of both neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, General Seth also met with Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava on Sunday evening. According to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, they discussed ways to further strengthen the comprehensive relations between the two nations.
The embassy stated, “This visit reaffirms the unique and time-tested defense relations between Nepal and India, based on shared values, mutual trust, and enduring military-to-military ties.”
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