By R Anil Kumar
Kathmandu, August 17, 2026. Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth on Monday, August 17, received and inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters in Kathmandu during his three-day official visit to Nepal.
General Seth also laid a wreath at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel as part of his engagements on the first day of the visit.
The Army Chief is visiting Nepal from August 17 to 19 with a focus on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and military-to-military ties between the two countries.
During his visit, General Seth is scheduled to interact with the Chief of the Army Staff of the Nepali Army and receive a briefing from the Director General of Military Operations of the Nepali Army on issues of mutual interest.
Later on Monday, General Seth will attend an Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, where President of Nepal Ram Chandra Paudel will confer upon him the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army.
The conferment is in keeping with the longstanding tradition between the Indian and Nepali armies.
On August 18, General Seth will address student officers of the Army Command and Staff Course at Shivapuri and interact with instructors and foreign student officers. He will also hold discussions with senior Nepalese dignitaries on bilateral matters.
On the final day of his visit, August 19, the Army Chief will travel to Pokhara to attend an Ex-Servicemen Rally. He will felicitate Veer Naris and gallantry awardees and interact with Indian Army veterans before returning to India.
India and Nepal share close historical, social and cultural ties, often described as the ‘Roti Beti Ka Rishta’. The Janakpur-Ayodhya and Lumbini-Bodhgaya connections further reflect the civilisational links between the two countries.
India-Nepal Defence Relations
India and Nepal share deep, time-tested defence relations built on historical, military, and cultural ties. The two nations maintain a unique military partnership characterized by institutional traditions, joint exercises, and strategic cooperation.
Key Pillars of Defence Cooperation
Exchange of Honorary Ranks: Since 1950, India and Nepal have a unique tradition of conferring the honorary rank of General of the Army to each other’s Army Chiefs. Recently in August 2026, Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth was conferred this honor by Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Paudel in Kathmandu.
Gorkha Regiments: Nepali Gorkhas have served in the Indian Army for generations, forming an important bridge between the two militaries. Approximately 32,000 soldiers from Nepal currently serve in the Indian Army’s Gorkha battalions.
Joint Military Exercises: The armies hold the annual joint military exercise Surya Kiran, which focuses on enhancing interoperability, counter-terrorism operations, and jungle warfare training.
Military Assistance & Training: India assists the Nepali Army with equipment, modernization, and capacity building. Numerous Nepal Army personnel attend training courses at premier Indian Army institutions.
Disaster Relief (HADR): Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief is a vital area of cooperation, given both countries’ geographic vulnerability to earthquakes, floods, and landslides. India has historically acted as a first responder during major crises in Nepal, such as the 2015 earthquake.
Current Challenges and Dynamics
Open Border Security: India and Nepal share a 1,751 km open border, which facilitates people-to-people movement but also presents security challenges concerning smuggling, fake currency circulation, and potential misuse by cross-border criminal or extremist groups.
Recruitment Discussions: Debates and policy updates surrounding military recruitment models (such as India’s Agnipath scheme) have prompted discussions and temporary pauses regarding certain recruitment frameworks between the two nations.
