Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi was on Thursday honoured with the prestigious title of Honourary General of the Nepali Army.
This exchange of honourary generalship, a unique and cherished tradition between the Indian and Nepali Armies, highlights the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and military ties between the two nations.
General Dwivedi’s visit and the conferral of this honour will not only strengthen military ties but also serve as a reflection of the deep respect between the two countries’ armed forces, further advancing the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding, an official statement said.
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The tradition of conferring honourary generalships between the Indian and Nepali Armies dates back to the 1950s. Every three years, the Chief of the Indian Army is made an Honourary General of the Nepali Army, and vice versa. This practice reflects the mutual respect and enduring friendship between the two countries, particularly in the realms of military cooperation, defence collaboration, and shared strategic interests.
The tradition underscores the strong strategic partnership between the two forces, who work closely on a variety of fronts, including joint training, military exercises, and disaster response. Both armies share similar values and a commitment to regional security, making this gesture of honour a reflection of their unity and shared purpose.
On Wednesday, General Dwivedi embarked on a five-day visit to Nepal with a focus on bolstering defence partnership and exploring new areas of collaboration between the two countries.
During his visit, the Army chief will also meet the President of Nepal to discuss defence cooperation and attend a banquet hosted in his honour by General Sigdel.
On Friday, General Dwivedi is scheduled to address officers of the Nepali Army Command and Staff Course at Shivapuri. He will also meet with Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Defence Minister Manbir Rai to discuss mutual interests and regional security matters.
General Upendra Dwivedi is the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, having assumed the role in 2024. A distinguished officer with extensive experience, General Dwivedi is dedicated to strengthening India’s military partnerships, both bilaterally and regionally, and promoting peace and stability in South Asia.
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