Chief of the Indian Army(General Upendra Dwivedi) Staff to be Honoured with Nepalese Military Rank and Hold Key Talks on Defence Cooperation
General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Indian Army Staff (COAS), has commenced a four-day official visit to Nepal today with the aim of bolstering military cooperation between the Indian and Nepalese armed forces. A highlight of his visit will be the conferment of the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army by Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel, further solidifying the strong military ties between the two nations.
On the first day of his visit, General Dwivedi will engage in informal discussions with his counterpart, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, as well as meet with Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava. These talks are expected to focus on enhancing military collaboration and exploring new areas of strategic cooperation.
The following day, General Dwivedi will be accorded a Guard of Honour at the Nepal Army Headquarters, marking the beginning of a formal engagement with the Nepalese military leadership. He will also participate in a briefing by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Nepal Army, addressing issues of mutual security interest. Later, he will attend an investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas, where he will be formally recognised for his contributions to strengthening Indo-Nepal military relations.
The COAS will also meet with key political figures, including the President of Nepal, K P Sharma Oli, and Defence Minister Manbir Rai. These discussions will centre on advancing the defence partnership between the two countries, with a focus on shared security concerns and defence cooperation.
On November 23, General Dwivedi will travel to Pokhara to attend an ex-servicemen rally, where he will honour Veer Naris (wives of fallen soldiers) and gallantry awardees. The event will provide an opportunity for General Dwivedi to interact with Indian Army veterans and pay tribute to their service. Additionally, he will visit the Western Division headquarters of the Nepal Army, where he will be briefed on operational matters and strategic developments in the region.
The final evening of his visit will include a banquet hosted by General Dwivedi for dignitaries in Kathmandu, further strengthening the ties of friendship between the two nations.
This visit underscores the continued commitment of both India and Nepal to deepening their defence and military cooperation, which has long been a cornerstone of their bilateral relations.
