Key Takeaways:

• General Dhiraj Seth arrived Aug 16 with a five-member delegation
• President Ramchandra Paudel to confer honorary rank on Aug 17
• Tradition of conferring honorary ranks dates back to 1950.
• Visit includes bilateral talks with Nepali Army Chief Sigdel and defence cooperation agenda

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 17 The longstanding military tradition between Nepal and India will take centre stage this week as Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth begins a four-day official visit to Nepal, during which he is set to receive the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army. General Seth, Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday at the invitation of Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel. A five-member delegation accompanying him was received at Tribhuvan International Airport by Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Pradeep Jung KC. President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to confer the honorary rank on General Seth at a special ceremony on Monday, according to the Nepali Army. The practice of the two countries conferring the honorary rank of General on each other's Army chiefs dates back to 1950 and is regarded by both sides as a symbol of their longstanding military ties.

General Seth is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with General Sigdel at Nepali Army Headquarters on Monday. The visit is expected to further strengthen defence and security cooperation between the two countries. The Indian Army chief also met Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava after arriving in Kathmandu.

The Nepali Army said high-level exchanges between the two militaries have helped sustain their longstanding relationship. The two sides also maintain ties through joint military exercises, training and exchanges of professional experience. The Embassy of India described the visit as another milestone in the 'longstanding and unique' defence partnership between the two countries, saying it would further deepen cooperation in defence and security.