Flourishing strategic friendship with Nepal, President Kovind confers honorary rank to Nepal army chief

NewsBharati    12-Jan-2019
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New Delhi, Jan 12: "In recognition of his commendable military prowess and immeasurable contribution to further fostering the long and friendly association with India, the President of India is pleased to confer the honorary rank of the General of the Indian Army on General Purna Chandra Thapa," the citation read.

 

Thapa assumed the command of the Nepal Army in September last year.

It is customary between Nepal and India to award honorary titles to each other's Army Chiefs

President Ram Nath Kovind, conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Indian Army on Sukirtimaya Rashtradeep General Purna Chandra Thapa, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepalese Army, for his commendable military prowess and immeasurable contribution to fostering Nepal’s long and friendly association with India, at a special Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

Born to a military family in Nepal's Lamjung district, Thapa has served across the globe as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. Besides military courses at home, Thapa has also completed training in the United States and India, the Kathmandu Post reported.

Thapa's most important responsibility came as the head of mission and force commander -- a rare opportunity for a Nepal Army officer in UN Peacekeeping missions -- of the UN Disengagement Observer Force in Golan Heights.

The visit symbolizes the deep-rooted ties between the two armies and will help strengthen defence cooperation.