Kathmandu: Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth met Nepal Prime Minister and Defence Minister Balendra Shah on Tuesday, with the two sides discussing bilateral interests and ways to further strengthen military relations between the neighbouring countries.
The meeting took place at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava was also present.
General Seth is on a three day official visit to Nepal at the invitation of Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel. During the visit, he was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Ramchandra Paudel at a ceremony on Monday.
The honorary rank reflects a long standing military tradition between India and Nepal that dates back to 1950. Under the arrangement, the two countries traditionally confer the honorary rank of General on each other’s army chiefs, highlighting the close defence relationship between the two nations.
General Seth also held bilateral discussions with General Sigdel at Nepal Army Headquarters on Monday. The talks focused on areas of mutual interest and strengthening military to military cooperation.
His visit comes at a time when relations between India and Nepal have faced some strain over political and border related issues. Earlier this year, Shah held discussions with the Indian ambassador and stressed the importance of strengthening Nepal’s historic relationship with India.
The two countries continue to have differences over the Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani areas. India maintains that these territories are part of Uttarakhand, while Nepal has raised its own territorial claims. New Delhi has also opposed the involvement of third countries in resolving the boundary dispute.
Despite such differences, India and Nepal maintain extensive political, economic, cultural and people to people ties. The Indian Army chief’s visit has been described as a reaffirmation of the long standing defence partnership between the two countries.
During his visit, General Seth also offered prayers at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu.
