GENERAL UPENDRA DWIVEDI, CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF EMBARKS ON A VISIT TO NEPAL

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), departed on a visit to Nepal from 20^th to 24^th November 2024, marking a significant step in further bolstering the close defence cooperation between India and Nepal.

On 20^th November 2024, General Upendra Dwivedi will interact with Mr Naveen Srivastava, Indian Ambassador to Nepal and would thereafter engage in an informal discussion with General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepali Army at Shashi Bhawan.

On 21^st November 2024, the COAS will be given a Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army HQ followed by an interaction with the COAS, Nepali Army. General Upendra Dwivedi will also be briefed by Director General Military Operations (DGMO), Nepali Army on issues of common interest. Thereafter, he will attend the Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas, wherein as per unique tradition between Indian Army and Nepali Army, he will be conferred with the Honourary Rank of General of Nepali Army by the Right Hon'ble President of Nepal. The COAS would also call on the Right Hon'ble President of Nepal and engage in talks to further boost the defence partnership between India and Nepal. In the evening, he will attend a Banquet, hosted by the COAS, Nepali Army.

On 22^nd November 2024, the COAS will address the student officers of Nepali Army Command and Staff Course, Shivapuri. During the day, General Upendra Dwivedi will call on Mr K P Sharma Oli, Hon'ble Prime Minster and Mr Manbir Rai, Hon'ble Defence Minister of Nepal and engage in talks on issues of mutual interests.

On 23^rd November 2024, General Upendra Dwivedi will attend an Ex-Servicemen Rally at Pokhara, wherein the COAS will felicitate Veer Naris and Gallantry Awardees. During the Rally, he will also interact with the Indian Army veterans, who are in large numbers in Nepal. The COAS will visit Western Division HQ, Nepali Army and will be briefed in presence of General Officer Commanding, Western Division, Nepali Army. In the evening, the COAS will host a Banquet for dignitaries at Kathmandu. He will return to India on 24^th November 2024.

The visit by General Upendra Dwivedi aims at strengthening military cooperation between militaries of India and Nepal, besides exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations.

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SC