Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth Conferred Honorary Rank of General of Nepali Army, Continuing 76-Year Military Tradition

KATHMANDU — President Ramchandra Paudel on Monday conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army on visiting Indian Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, continuing a longstanding military tradition between Nepal and India.

President Paudel presented General Seth with the insignia of the honorary rank during a special investiture ceremony held at Sheetal Niwas, the Presidential Palace in Kathmandu.

The honor is part of a unique military tradition under which Nepal and India confer honorary general ranks on each other’s army chiefs. The practice dates back to 1950 and is widely regarded as a symbol of the close historical, cultural and military ties between the two neighboring countries.

General K.M. Cariappa, then Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, became the first Indian military chief to receive the honorary rank from Nepal in 1950. India, in turn, conferred the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army on then Nepali Army chief General Surendra Bahadur Shah in 1969.

More recently, Nepal’s current Chief of Army Staff, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, was awarded the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army by Indian President Droupadi Murmu on December 12, 2024.

General Seth’s investiture in Kathmandu therefore represents the latest chapter in a military tradition that has endured for more than seven decades.

The ceremony at Sheetal Niwas was attended by Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, senior officials of the Government of Nepal and high-ranking officers of the Nepali Army.

The visit is being viewed as another important step in strengthening the traditional military relationship, mutual trust and defense cooperation between Nepal and India. The Indian Embassy has said the visit is expected to further deepen longstanding defense ties and army-to-army cooperation between the two countries.

Guard of Honour and Talks at Nepali Army Headquarters

Earlier on Monday, General Seth paid tribute to Nepal’s fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the Bir Smarak at Tundikhel in Kathmandu.

He later visited the Nepali Army Headquarters at Jangi Adda, where he was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour by a contingent of the Nepali Army. General Seth also inspected the honour guard.

During his visit to the headquarters, General Seth held formal talks with Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel.

The two army chiefs discussed bilateral military relations, matters of mutual interest, professional training, defense cooperation and other areas of engagement between the two armed forces.

General Seth was also briefed by the Nepali Army’s Directorate General of Military Operations on issues of mutual concern and ongoing cooperation.

Following the meeting, the Indian Army chief handed over various military and medical equipment to the Nepali Army. He also planted a sapling on the premises of the Army Headquarters as a symbolic gesture marking his visit.

The Nepali Army has expressed confidence that the visit will further strengthen the longstanding bonds of friendship, trust and professional cooperation between the armed forces of Nepal and India.

General Seth also met Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, where discussions focused on Nepal–India relations and ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

First Foreign Visit Since Taking Command

General Dhiraj Seth assumed office as the 31st Chief of the Indian Army Staff on June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi following his retirement.

A graduate of the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, General Seth was commissioned into the Armoured Corps of the Indian Army in December 1986.

His visit to Nepal is his first foreign visit since assuming command of the Indian Army, giving the trip additional military and diplomatic significance for both Kathmandu and New Delhi.

General Seth arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday, August 16, at the invitation of Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel.

While India’s Ministry of Defence has listed his official engagements from August 17 to 19, some Nepali reports have described the trip as a four-day visit by including his arrival day. He is scheduled to return to India on August 19.

Address in Shivapuri and Ex-Servicemen’s Rally in Pokhara

On August 18, General Seth is scheduled to visit the Nepali Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri, where he will address military officers undergoing professional training.

He is also expected to interact with instructors and international military officers studying at the institution.

During the day, the Indian Army chief is also expected to hold meetings with senior Nepali officials to discuss issues of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation.

On August 19, General Seth is scheduled to travel to Pokhara, where he will attend an ex-servicemen’s rally involving former personnel who served in the Indian Army.

He is expected to interact with retired soldiers, veterans and their families. The programme will also include recognition of Veer Naris — widows of fallen soldiers — and gallantry award recipients.

Following the Pokhara programme, General Seth is scheduled to return to India.

Nepal and India have maintained extensive military-to-military cooperation for decades through joint exercises, professional training, high-level exchanges, capacity-building programmes and defense assistance.

Among these engagements, the reciprocal practice of awarding honorary general ranks to the army chiefs of the two countries remains one of the most distinctive and symbolic expressions of the special military relationship between Nepal and India.