Kathmandu, Aug 18: Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth has been awarded the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Ramchandra Paudel at a ceremony at Sheetal Niwas on Monday, continuing a longstanding military tradition between Nepal and India.
Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, Chief Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karki, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel and former army chiefs attended the ceremony. Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who also holds the defence portfolio, was absent. He is expected to meet General Seth on Tuesday.
The tradition of granting honorary general ranks to the army chiefs of the two countries dates officially to 1950, although military historians trace its roots further back to the Rana era. Officials say the practice reflects the close historical and military ties between Nepal and India, though it has been suspended during periods of diplomatic tension.
Nepali Army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet said the tradition symbolises the longstanding cultural, religious, historical and military relationship between the two countries.
During his visit, General Seth paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel and inspected a guard of honour at Army Headquarters. He also handed over military and medical equipment provided under India’s military assistance programme.
Seth earlier met General Sigdel for talks on bilateral military relations and matters of mutual interest.
His three-day Nepal visit includes an interaction with trainees, instructors and foreign participants at the Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri. He will also attend a gathering of former Gurkha soldiers in Pokhara before returning to India.
The visit comes as the two militaries continue their longstanding engagement, with honorary ranks serving as a symbolic link between their defence establishments.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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