General Upendra Dwivedi's Visit to Nepal

General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, has arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal, for a five-day official visit. He was invited by General Ashok Raj Sigdel, the Chief of the Army Staff of the Nepali Army.

Key Events During the Visit

During his stay, General Dwivedi will pay tribute at the martyrs' memorial in the Army Pavilion and receive a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters. He will also have an official meeting with General Sigdel.

General Dwivedi will interact with student officers at the Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri and visit the Western Divisional Headquarters in Pokhara. A significant highlight of his visit will be receiving the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army from the President of Nepal, continuing a tradition that began in 1950.

Strengthening Ties

General Dwivedi will meet with Nepal's Prime Minister and Defense Minister, further strengthening the ties between the two nations. The relationship between the Indian and Nepali armies is exemplified by the Gurkha Regiment, with over 30,000 Gurkha soldiers from Nepal serving in the Indian Army.

The Indian Army supports ex-Gurkha soldiers and their families through various welfare programs, including pension disbursement and retraining initiatives. Nepal shares borders with five Indian states, and the two countries have strong cultural and civilizational ties.

India-Nepal Relations

India considers Nepal a priority partner under its 'Neighbourhood First' Policy. The frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries have strengthened their bilateral partnerships, allowing leaders to regularly review their relations. The armies of India and Nepal share a harmonious relationship based on mutual trust and respect, with a tradition of awarding honorary ranks to each other's Army Chiefs.