Kathmandu [Nepal]: Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel is scheduled to visit India from December 11 to December 14, 2024, as announced by Nepal’s Ministry of Defence on Wednesday.
In a press statement, the Ministry confirmed, “Chief of the Army Staff, Nepali Army, General Ashok Raj Sigdel is scheduled to visit India from 11th December to 14th December 2024.”
Details of the Visit
During his visit, General Sigdel will be conferred the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army by President Droupadi Murmu of India. He is also expected to have official meetings with senior Indian authorities, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Additionally, General Sigdel will attend the passing out parade of Officer Cadets at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun as a Reviewing Officer.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The visit follows a recent trip by Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi to Nepal, which took place from November 20 to November 24, 2024, at the invitation of General Sigdel. During his stay in Nepal, General Dwivedi was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Ramchandra Paudel.
This exchange of honorary titles between the Army Chiefs of India and Nepal is a longstanding tradition dating back to 1950, when General KM Cariappa became the first Indian Army Chief to be honored with the title.
A Strong Military Relationship
The relationship between the Nepali and Indian Armies is further reinforced through the Gurkha Regiment, which continues to maintain a strong bond. Currently, over 30,000 Gurkha soldiers from Nepal serve in the Indian Army, contributing to the deep-rooted military cooperation between the two nations.
These frequent high-level visits and exchanges between India and Nepal help strengthen their bilateral partnerships and ensure regular discussions on various aspects of their relationship.