Kathmandu. Indian Army Chief General Dheeraj Seth was on Monday honored with the rank of Honorary General of the Nepalese Army by Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel. He was awarded this honorary rank in the investiture ceremony held at Sheetal Niwas. General Seth reached Nepal on Sunday on a four-day official visit. He has visited Nepal on the invitation of his Nepali counterpart General Ashok Raj Sigdel.
According to a press release issued by President Paudel's Secretariat, Nepal's Vice President Ramshay Prasad Yadav, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, India's Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava and senior officials of the Nepalese Army and the Government of Nepal were present at the ceremony. This tradition of conferring the rank of Honorary General started in 1950. Under this, Nepal and India provide the rank of Honorary General to each other's army chiefs.
General Seth also met General Sigdel at the Nepali Army Headquarters on Monday. The two military chiefs discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen bilateral military relations. The Indian Embassy said the Indian Army Chief's visit to Nepal reaffirms the “unique and time-tested” defense ties between the two countries based on shared values, mutual trust and long-standing military-to-military relations.
General Seth also met Ambassador Naveen Srivastava at the Indian Embassy. The two discussed ways to further strengthen comprehensive relations between New Delhi and Kathmandu. General Seth also handed over some military and medical equipment to the Nepali Army on Monday.
According to the press release issued by Nepal Army, he also planted a sapling in the Nepali Army Headquarters premises. Apart from this he inspected the Guard of Honor and accepted its greetings. “General Seth’s visit is expected to further strengthen mutual trust and cooperation between the armies of Nepal and India,” Nepal Army said.