In a significant display of military and diplomatic camaraderie, Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepal Army to Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi during a special ceremony held at Rastrapati Bhawan, Sheetal Niwas. This ceremonial event took place on Thursday afternoon and marked a pivotal moment in the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
Gen. Dwivedi, leading a five-member delegation, arrived in Nepal on Wednesday for a five-day official visit at the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart, General Ashok Sigdel. The ceremonial conferral included the presentation of a ceremonial sword, insignia, and a formal certificate of the conferment order by President Paudel. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, emphasizing the significance of the occasion within Nepal’s political and military circles.
The tradition of bestowing the title of Honorary General on the army chiefs of each other’s nations has been a longstanding practice between India and Nepal, dating back to 1950, as reiterated by sources within the Nepal Army. A statement from the Nepal Army highlighted that this tradition symbolizes the enduring ties between the two national armies.
Following the investiture ceremony, General Dwivedi paid a courtesy call to President Paudel. In tandem with this, he held a meeting with General Ashok Sigdel at the Nepal Army Headquarters, where discussions encompassed mutual interests along with strategies aimed at further enhancing the cooperation and friendship that exists between the two armies. The historical significance of the Honorary General conferment was also a topic of discussion during their meeting, as noted by representatives from the Indian Embassy.
As a gesture of friendship, General Dwivedi planted a Rudraksha sapling on the grounds of the Nepal Army headquarters, symbolizing a commitment to lasting ties between the armed forces of both countries. In conjunction with this, Sunita Dwivedi, the President of the Indian Army Wives Welfare Association, met with Nita Chhetri Sigdel, the President of the Nepali Army Wives Association (NAWA), where welfare activities undertaken by NAWA were highlighted.
Earlier in the day, Gen. Dwivedi paid his respects to the martyrs of Nepal by laying a wreath at the Martyr’s Memorial located in the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel. He was also honored with a Guard of Honour at Army Headquarters, marking the respect and accolades bestowed upon him during his official visit.
Throughout his stay, General Dwivedi plans to visit the Army Staff College in Shivapuri, located on the outskirts of Kathmandu, as well as engage in other scheduled events, including a mountain flight to appreciate Nepal’s picturesque landscapes. The ties between Nepal and India are underscored by their extensive mutual border, spanning over 1,850 kilometers with five Indian states: Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, further solidifying the interwoven relationship between the two neighboring nations.
