NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Indian Army on General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Nepalese Army, during a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. This prestigious honour is a symbol of the strong and enduring military ties between India and Nepal.
LIVE: President confers Honorary Rank of General of Indian Army to Chief of the Army Staff of Nepali Army https://t.co/iMW9PQzP7s
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 12, 2024
The ceremony was held to acknowledge General Sigdel’s exceptional leadership and his significant role in enhancing Nepal’s defence capabilities. His efforts have played a crucial part in strengthening the bilateral military cooperation between the two nations, which has deep roots in shared strategic interests. The award highlights his contribution to fostering peace and stability in the region.
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The tradition of conferring honorary military ranks between the two countries goes back decades. General Sigdel’s recognition follows a similar gesture earlier this year, when India’s Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, was honoured with the rank of General of the Nepali Army. This mutual recognition underscores the trust and friendship that have long characterized the relationship between India and Nepal.
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During his visit to India, General Sigdel is scheduled to meet with senior Indian military officials and attend the final parade at the Indian Military Academy as the chief guest. The visit is a significant milestone in the ongoing cooperation between the two nations, which includes over 30,000 Gurkha soldiers currently serving in the Indian Army.
This honour celebrates General Sigdel’s distinguished career and also reinforces the close military ties and the shared commitment to regional peace and security between India and Nepal.