Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth to Visit Nepal, Receive Honorary General Rank
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth is set to embark on a five-day official visit to Nepal starting on August 16, 2026. This will be his inaugural trip to the neighboring nation since taking on the role of the 31st Chief of the Indian Army on June 30, 2026. The visit, initiated at the invitation of Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Sigdel, aims to strengthen the enduring military ties between the two countries.
During his visit, General Seth will receive the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army from Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel. This gesture is part of a unique military tradition over seven decades old, where the Army Chiefs of India and Nepal exchange honorary general ranks as a testament to their close defense partnership.
This tradition underscores the profound historical, cultural, and military bonds shared by the Indian and Nepalese armies. It signifies mutual trust and respect, fortifying the long-standing friendship between the armed forces of both nations.
In addition to the conferment ceremony, General Seth is anticipated to engage in high-level discussions while in Kathmandu. Reports indicate a request has been made for a courtesy meeting with Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah. Although this meeting has not been officially confirmed, it is expected to be part of his official engagements if approved.
Nepal Army spokesperson Brigadier General Rajaram Basnet confirmed the visit, emphasizing the tradition of exchanging honorary general ranks whenever a new Army Chief assumes office in either country. He noted that the detailed itinerary would be disclosed once the visit is formally confirmed.
The agenda is likely to include interactions with senior military leaders and discussions focused on bilateral defense cooperation, military exchanges, training collaborations, and regional security matters. India and Nepal enjoy close military relations through frequent high-level visits, joint training, disaster response cooperation, and the recruitment of Gorkha soldiers into the Indian Army.
General Seth's visit also holds diplomatic importance, as he will be the first senior Indian official to visit Nepal after the establishment of Prime Minister Balendra Shah's government in March 2026. The trip is expected to energize defense engagement and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The reciprocal nature of this honor was last observed in December 2024, when Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Sigdel was awarded the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army by President Droupadi Murmu during his official visit to India.
General Seth's upcoming visit is anticipated to reaffirm the unique military relationship between India and Nepal, emphasizing both armies' shared commitment to regional stability, professional collaboration, and the preservation of one of South Asia's oldest defense traditions.
