General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, has been conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army in a ceremonial event held at the Presidential Palace, Shital Niwas, today. The honor was presented by Nepal’s President, Ram Chandra Paudel, in continuation of the longstanding tradition that symbolizes the strong military and diplomatic ties between the two neighboring nations.

General Dwivedi arrived in Kathmandu on November 20 for a five-day official visit at the invitation of General Ashok Raj Sigdel, the Chief of the Army Staff of the Nepali Army. Upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, he was welcomed by Major General Madhukar Singh Karki, on behalf of General Sigdel, along with India’s Defense Attaché, Colonel V Subramaniam, and other officials from the Indian Embassy.

During the second day of his visit, General Dwivedi paid tribute to Nepal’s martyrs by laying a wreath at the Bir Smarak (Martyrs’ Memorial) at Tundikhel in Kathmandu. He later visited the Nepali Army Headquarters, where he was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honor. Following this, he held a meeting with General Ashok Raj Sigdel to discuss enhancing bilateral defense cooperation between the two armies. During the visit, General Dwivedi was also briefed by the Directorate General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Nepali Army on various military strategies and operations.

In parallel to the official engagements, Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, President of the Indian Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), interacted with members of the Nepali Army Wives Association, fostering personal and cultural exchanges between the military families of the two countries.

The honorary title awarded to General Dwivedi reaffirms the unique relationship shared by Nepal and India, particularly in the defense sector. The ceremonial event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Nepal’s Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Defense Minister Manbir Rai, Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal, and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, among others. Senior leaders from both the Nepali and Indian armed forces, as well as officials from the Ministry of Defense and Foreign Affairs, were also present.

This tradition of conferring honorary ranks dates back decades and serves as a testament to the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations. The honor highlights the shared history, cultural bonds, and mutual respect between the armed forces of Nepal and India. General Dwivedi’s visit is expected to further strengthen defense cooperation and foster greater collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Nepal and India share a unique defense relationship, marked by historic connections and frequent high-level interactions. General Dwivedi’s honorary rank symbolizes the trust and respect between the two armies and reflects the broader strategic and cultural ties between the two countries. His visit is anticipated to pave the way for stronger bilateral military and diplomatic engagement in the years ahead.