Indian Army chief Dhiraj Seth arrives in Kathmandu for four-day visit

Indian Army chief General Dhiraj Seth arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday for a four-day visit, marking the first visit by a senior Indian official since the formation of the Balendra Shah government in March. Seth was received at Tribhuvan International Airport by senior Nepali Army officials.

During his stay, Seth is scheduled to hold meetings with Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who also oversees the Defence Ministry, and General Ashok Sigdel, the Chief of the Army Staff. A significant event during the visit will be the conferral of the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army upon Seth by President Ramchandra Paudel, the supreme commander of the Nepali Army. This ceremony is set to take place at the President’s Office on Monday.

This tradition of conferring honorary general ranks on each other's army chiefs between Nepal and India began in 1950. Both nations view this practice as a symbol of their close and mutually respectful relationship. Under this tradition, the Nepali Army chief receives the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army, while the Indian Army chief is honored with the rank of General of the Nepali Army. General Sigdel was himself conferred the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army in December 2024.

General Seth, who assumed command of the Indian Army on June 30, will also participate in other events organized by the Nepali Army. His visit follows a postponed trip by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, which was canceled over protocol issues.

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The practice began in 1950 and is regarded by both sides as a symbol of the close and mutually respectful ties between the two countries.