General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army(IA), made a 5-day visit to Nepal from 20th to 24th November 2024. The visit aimed to bolster the close defence cooperation between India and Nepal and explore new avenues of collaboration between the two nations.
- He was accompanied by Sunita Dwivedi, chair of the Army Wives Welfare Association(AWWA) of the IA.
Highlights of the Visit:
i.The central theme of the visit was “Strengthening India-Nepal ties”. General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, called on General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, Nepali Army, and discussed aspects of mutual interest and avenues to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
- The discussions focused on enhancing military bonds, joint exercises, training cooperation, and capability development, reinforcing the shared commitment to global peace and security.
- He extended a formal invitation to the Nepali Army’s COAS to visit India.
ii.General Upendra Dwivedi interacted with Naveen Srivastava, Indian Ambassador to Nepal.
- He called on K P Sharma Oli, Prime Minster (PM) of Nepal and Manbir Rai, Defence Minister of Nepal and engaged in talks on issues of mutual interest.
i.On 22nd November 2024, he addressed the student officers of Nepali Army Command and Staff Course, Shivapuri. He delivered a lecture on “The Changing Character of War”.
ii.On 23rd November 2024, he attended the Ex-Servicemen Rally at Pokhara. He also felicitated Veer Naris and Gallantry Awardees.
- During the Rally, he also interacted with the Indian Army veterans, who are in large numbers in Nepal.
iii. He paid his tributes to Nepal’s Bravehearts by laying a wreath at Bir Smarak, Tundikhel.
iv.He attended a Banquet, hosted by the COAS, Nepali Army and also attended the Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Shital Niwas.
v.He also visited the Muktinath Temple in the Mustang District, Muktinath to pay tribute to General Bipin Rawat, India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), whose legacy is commemorated at the temple.
- A memorial bell named ‘Bipin Bell’ was installed at Muktinath in honour of General Rawat in 2023.
vi.During his visit, he dedicated new health centers and announced an increase in the number of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme(ECHS) empanelled hospitals, in addition to the addition of 2 ECHS polyclinics, one each at Butala and Dungadhi.
- The Indian Army presented Valour Mount horses and Sentinel dogs to the Nepali Army as a gesture of friendship.
Honors:
i.General Upendra Dwivedi was honoured with the Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal. This tradition highlights the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the Indian and Nepali Armies.
ii.He was also honoured with the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army by Ram Chandra Paudel, President of Nepal at President House, Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu.
Recent Related News:
On 27th September 2024, India and Nepal signed 12 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) for High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in Nepal covering key sectors such as education, health, agriculture, drinking water and culture for strengthening bilateral ties.
- The projects will be supported by grant assistance of NRs (Nepalese Rupees) 474 million (approximately Rs 47.4 crore) by the Government of India (GoI)
About Nepal:
President- Ram Chandra Poudel
Prime Minister(PM)– Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
Capital- Kathmandu
Currency– Nepalese Rupee(NPR)
