Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu Visits Nepal’s New Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel
On September 2, Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu, head of the National Defence College Delegation, paid a courtesy visit to Lt Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel, the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Nepal. The meeting took place at the Army Headquarters in Kathmandu.
Lt Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff by President Ram Chandra Poudel, effective from September 8, 2024. The current Chief of Army Staff, Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma, is set to retire on the same day. Since Gen Sharma went on leave a month before his term ended, Sigdel has been serving as the acting Chief of Army Staff.
India has played a significant role in the modernization of the Nepal Army by providing equipment and training. Each year, more than 180 training slots are offered to Nepalese Army personnel in various Indian Army training institutions. Additionally, the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army is given the honorary rank of a General in the Nepal Army, and the same honor is reciprocated for the Chief of the Nepal Army.
Doubts Revealed
Rear Admiral -: A Rear Admiral is a high-ranking officer in the navy, similar to a general in the army.
Sandeep Singh Sandhu -: Sandeep Singh Sandhu is a senior officer in the Indian Navy.
National Defence College -: The National Defence College is a top military training institution in India where senior officers learn about national security and strategy.
Delegation -: A delegation is a group of people sent to represent their country or organization.
Lt Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel -: Lt Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel is the new Chief of Army Staff of Nepal, which means he is the top leader of the Nepalese Army.
Chief of Army Staff -: The Chief of Army Staff is the highest-ranking officer in the army, responsible for all army operations.
Nepal -: Nepal is a country located in South Asia, between India and China.
President Ram Chandra Poudel -: Ram Chandra Poudel is the President of Nepal, the head of the country.
Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma -: Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma is the outgoing Chief of Army Staff of Nepal, who is retiring.
Modernizing -: Modernizing means updating something to make it more current and effective, like giving new equipment and training.
Training slots -: Training slots are opportunities for people to receive training or education in a specific field.
Indian Army institutions -: Indian Army institutions are places where the Indian Army trains its soldiers and officers.