Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel arrived in India on December 11 for a four-day visit aimed at enhancing military cooperation and exploring new opportunities for defense collaboration between the two countries. This visit follows the recent trip by Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi to Nepal.
Upon his arrival in Delhi, General Sigdel received a warm welcome from the Indian Army. His itinerary for the visit includes significant ceremonial and diplomatic engagements. On December 12, he is scheduled to lay a wreath at the National War Memorial, followed by a guard of honour at South Block Lawns. The day will also feature a meeting with General Upendra Dwivedi, where they are expected to discuss various aspects of military cooperation.
During this visit, General Sigdel will receive a briefing on India’s security perspective from the Director General of Strategic Planning (DGSP) and explore insights into the Indian defense industry with the Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau. His meetings will also include discussions with key Indian defense and diplomatic figures, such as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
A highlight of General Sigdel’s visit will be on December 13, when he attends the investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. In a gesture embodying the historical ties between the two armies, he will be conferred the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army by President Draupadi Murmu. The day will also provide opportunities for General Sigdel to interact with other dignitaries during a high tea at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Following these formalities, General Sigdel will meet with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh before a lunch is hosted at the Nepal Embassy. Later that day, he is slated to plant a sapling at the Manekshaw Centre, symbolizing the strengthening of relations, before departing for Pune in the evening.
On December 15, General Sigdel will visit the Pune Defence Industries to witness the Static Equipment Display and engage with representatives of the Indian defense sector. He will then travel to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, where he is expected to participate in a dinner as the reviewing officer.
On December 16, he will have the momentous role of reviewing the parade of gentleman cadets at the academy, taking the reviewing officer’s salute. His day will include signing the visitors’ book and presenting awards to exceptional cadets, including a special focus on two Nepali Army gentleman cadets who will be officially commissioned. Additionally, he will participate in the pipping and oath-taking ceremonies.
The visit will also see General Sigdel pay his respects at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya before returning to Delhi for a dinner hosted by Chief of Defence Staff General Chauhan. His four-day tour will conclude as he departs for Kathmandu on December 15.
