General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army, undertook an official visit to Nepal from August 16 to 19, 2026, aimed at further strengthening the longstanding defence and military relationship between India and Nepal.
Upon his arrival in Kathmandu on August 16, General Seth was received by senior officials of the Nepali Army and representatives of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.
On August 17, General Seth laid a wreath at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel and paid homage to soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. He thereafter visited Nepali Army Headquarters, where he was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour.
The COAS subsequently held discussions with General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepali Army and Honorary General of the Indian Army. The two military leaders discussed ways to further expand bilateral defence cooperation and strengthen military-to-military ties.
As part of India’s continued support towards capability development and humanitarian response, General Seth handed over vehicles and medical equipment to enhance disaster preparedness and humanitarian assistance capabilities.
A key highlight of the visit was the conferment of the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army on General Dhiraj Seth by the Rt Hon’ble President of Nepal, Shri Ram Chandra Paudel, at a ceremony held at Shital Niwas. The conferment followed the unique and longstanding tradition between the Indian and Nepali Armies of awarding the honorary rank of General to each other’s Army Chiefs.
Following the ceremony, General Seth called on President Ram Chandra Paudel and discussed matters of mutual interest and the enduring relationship between the two countries.
On August 18, General Seth visited the Nepali Army Command and Staff College at Shivapuri, where he interacted with student officers and faculty members. The engagement provided an opportunity for professional exchange and reinforced the importance of academic cooperation and institutional linkages between the armed forces of India and Nepal.
General Seth subsequently called on the Rt Hon’ble Prime Minister of Nepal. Discussions during the meeting focused on the longstanding partnership between India and Nepal, with particular emphasis on defence cooperation and strengthening bilateral engagement.
On the final day of his visit, August 19, General Seth travelled to Pokhara and interacted with Indian Army veterans residing in Nepal. Addressing the gathering, he expressed deep appreciation for the exemplary service, dedication and sacrifices of the veterans in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and security.
As a mark of respect and gratitude, Veer Naris and gallantry awardees were felicitated during the event. Mobility equipment was also distributed to Ex-Servicemen to support their well-being and improve their quality of life.
General Seth also dedicated the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic at Kohalpur to the service of the Ex-Servicemen community. The establishment of the facility marks another step towards strengthening healthcare support for Indian Army veterans and their dependents in Nepal.
The four-day visit provided opportunities for engagement across multiple dimensions of the India-Nepal relationship, including military cooperation, capability development, professional military education, disaster preparedness and veterans’ welfare.
The visit reaffirmed the deep-rooted historical, cultural and military ties between the two countries and further strengthened cooperation across the defence and security domains. It also underscored the continued commitment of both sides towards enhancing military-to-military engagement and contributing to regional peace, stability and security.
