Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Nepali Army, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, reached New Delhi on an official visit to India today. The visit is being called as a significant and marking a key step in further strengthening the defence relations between Nepal and India.
According to a press statement , released by the Defence Ministry of India , the Nepalese Army Chief’s visit is set to run from 11th to 14th December 2024, aims to enhance bilateral military cooperation and explore new avenues for defence collaboration.
On Wednesday (11th December 2024) , the Nepali COAS will lay a 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 his Indian counterpart General Upendra Dwivedi. 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 of Army Design Bureau. Thereafter, the Nepali COAS is scheduled to Call-on External affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
On Thursday 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 Honorary Rank of General of Indian Army by the President Draupadi Murmu. The Nepali Army Chief would also interact with other dignitaries during High Tea at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also meet the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
A Reciprocal Lunch is being organised by the Nepali Army Chief 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 13th December 2024, General Ashok Raj Sigdelwill visit Defence Industries and witness Static Equipment Display at Pune. He will engage with representatives of the 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 14th December 2024, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, will Review Parade of the Gentleman Cadets and will take the Reviewing Officers Salute. He will sign the Visitors book, present awards to Colour Party and Cane Orderlies and 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 topay obeisance at the Shri Ram Mandir. In the evening, he will depart for New Delhi and will be hosted for dinner by CDS General Anil Chauhan, Gen Sigdel will depart for Kathmandu on 15th 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,’ says the press communique.
