Suprabal Janasewashree General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief Of Army Staff, Nepali Army Arrives On A Visit To India

Suprabal Janasewashree General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Nepali Army, commenced a significant official visit to India today, marking a key step in further strengthening the defence relations between Nepal and India. The visit, which is set to run from 11th to 14th December 2024, aims to enhance bilateral military cooperation and explore new avenues for defence collaboration. The Nepali Army COAS was warmly received by the Indian Army.

On 11^th December 2024, the Nepali COAS will lay wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi and will be given a Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns, followed by an interaction with the General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, Indian Army. General Ashok Raj Sigdel will also be briefed on India’s Security Perspective by Director General Strategic Planning (DGSP) and on the Indian Defence Industry by Additional Director General, Army Design Bureau. Thereafter, the Nepali COAS is scheduled to Call-on Shri S Jaishankar, Hon’ble EAM, Shri Ajit Doval, NSA, General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Defence Staff, Mr Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary and Mr Vikram Misri, Indian Foreign Secretary.

On 12^th December 2024, General Ashok Raj Sigdel will attend the Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, wherein as per unique tradition between Indian Army and Nepali Army, he will be conferred with the Honourary Rank of General of Indian Army by Smt Draupadi Murmu, the Hon’ble President of India. The Nepali COAS would also interact with other dignitaries during High Tea at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also Call-on Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri. A Reciprocal Lunch is being organised by the COAS, Nepali Army at the Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi. Later in the day, General Ashok Raj Sigdel will plant a sapling at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. In the evening, he will depart for Pune.

On 13^th December 2024, the Nepali COAS will visit Defence Industries and witness Static Equipment Display at Pune. He will engage with representatives of Indian Defence Industry. Thereafter, he would depart for Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, wherein he will attend the Reviewing Officer’s Dinner in the evening.

On 14^th December 2024, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, Nepali Army, will Review Parade of the Gentleman Cadets and will take the Reviewing Officer’s Salute. He will sign the Visitors book, present awards to Colour Party and Cane Orderlies and would present Reviewing Officer Plate and Sword. He will also participate in Pipping and Oath Taking and interact with the newly commissioned officers, which includes two Nepali Army Gentleman Cadets, who are getting commissioned.

General Ashok Raj Sigdel will thereafter depart for Ayodhya, wherein he will pay obeisance at the Shri Ram Mandir. In the evening, he will depart for New Delhi and would be hosted for dinner by General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff. COAS, Nepali Army will depart for Kathmandu on 15^th December 2024.

The visit by General Ashok Raj Sigdel aims at strengthening military cooperation between militaries of India and Nepal, besides exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations.