New Delhi, August 16: Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth will undertake an official visit to Nepal from August 17 to 19, 2026, aimed at further strengthening the longstanding defence partnership and military-to-military cooperation between India and Nepal.
The three-day visit will include high-level military engagements, interaction with Nepali Army leadership, meetings with senior dignitaries and an interaction with Indian Army veterans.
Honorary Rank of General of Nepali Army
One of the key highlights of the visit will take place on August 17, when General Dhiraj Seth will attend an Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan in Kathmandu.
In keeping with the unique tradition between the Indian and Nepali Armies, President Ram Chandra Paudel of Nepal will confer upon General Dhiraj Seth the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army.
The reciprocal honorary rank tradition is a distinctive feature of India–Nepal military relations and reflects the exceptionally close ties between the two armed forces.
Engagement With Nepali Army Leadership
On the first day of his visit, General Seth will lay a wreath at the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel, before receiving a Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters.
He will hold discussions with the Chief of the Nepali Army and receive a briefing from the Director General Military Operations of the Nepali Army on matters of mutual interest.
The discussions are expected to provide an opportunity to review existing military cooperation and explore additional avenues for collaboration between the two armies.
Interaction With Future Military Leaders
On August 18, the Army Chief will visit Shivapuri, where he will address student officers attending the Army Command and Staff Course.
He will interact with instructors as well as foreign student officers participating in the course, providing an opportunity for professional military exchange and sharing of perspectives on contemporary security challenges.
General Seth will also meet senior Nepali dignitaries during the visit to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Special Focus on Gorkha Veterans
The final day of the visit, August 19, will take General Seth to Pokhara, where he will attend an Ex-Servicemen Rally.
He will felicitate Veer Naris and Gallantry Awardees and interact with Indian Army veterans living in Nepal.
The engagement carries particular importance given the generations of Nepali citizens who have served in the Indian Army and the enduring Gorkha military tradition connecting the two countries.
A Relationship Beyond Defence
India and Nepal share deep historical, cultural and social connections, often described through the traditional expression “Roti Beti Ka Rishta.”
The close links between Janakpur and Ayodhya and Lumbini and Bodh Gaya further reflect the centuries-old cultural connections between the two countries.
The two nations also share a common interest in maintaining regional peace, stability and security, with defence cooperation forming an important pillar of the broader bilateral relationship.
Strengthening a Unique Military Partnership
General Dhiraj Seth’s visit comes as both countries continue to maintain extensive military-to-military engagement through training, professional exchanges, exercises and veteran welfare initiatives.
The honorary rank ceremony, professional interactions and engagement with veterans will collectively highlight the exceptional character of the India–Nepal military relationship.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the two armies to strengthen existing cooperation and identify new areas of collaboration, while reinforcing the historical bonds that have connected the Indian and Nepali Armed Forces for generations.
General Dhiraj Seth will return to India on August 19, concluding the three-day official visit.