Indian Army Chief conferred honorary rank of 'General of Nepali Army'; Read More-

NewsBharati 06-Nov-2020 11:05:38 AM

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Kathmandu, Nov 6: In a huge moment, the Chief of Army Staff Indian Army, General MM Naravane was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

According to a statement released by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, General Naravane was honoured at a ceremony at the President's official residence Shital Niwas in Kathmandu. He was also presented with a sword and scroll during the function.The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli, Indian Ambassador Vinay M. Kwatra and other senior officials of both the countries.

Gen MM Naravane #COAS was conferred the honorary rank of General of Nepal Army by Rt Hon. @PresidentofNP during a grand ceremony. A unique customary tradition followed by the two countries that has no parallel in the world. #IndiaNepalFriendship @adgpi @MEAIndia @thenepalesearmy pic.twitter.com/JbLMUaP9QR
— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) November 5, 2020

The practice follows a seven-decade-old tradition of conferring Army Chiefs of each other's country with the honorary title. Commander-in-Chief General KM Cariappa was the first Indian Army Chief to be decorated with the title in 1950. In January last year, Chief of Nepali Army, General Purna Chandra Thapa, was also made the honorary General of the Indian Army by President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony in New Delhi.

During the meeting with Hon'ble President, General Naravane conveyed his gratitude for the honour bestowed upon him and also discussed measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

Earlier in the day, India gifted medical equipment including X-ray machines, computed radiography systems, ICU ventilators, video endoscopy units and anaesthesia machines for two field hospitals of the Nepali Army. Additional ventilators were also gifted to assist the Nepali Army in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Naravane #COAS presented medical equipment for two field hospitals of Nepal Army. It includes X-ray machines, ICU ventilators, Video Endoscopy units, anesthesia machines and ambulances. #IndiaNepalFriendship @adgpi @MEAIndia @thenepalesearmy pic.twitter.com/S4AGsfcoNh
— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) November 5, 2020

General MM Naravane also laid a wreath and paid homage at Bir Smarak (Martyr’s Memorial) at Army Pavilion in Tundikhel, Kathmandu. He thereafter visited the Nepali Army Headquarters where he was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour. This was followed by a meeting with his counterpart General Purna Chandra Thapa, during which both delegations discussed Army-to-Army relations and enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. He was also given a comprehensive briefing by senior officers of the Nepali Army.

Gen. MM Naravane #COAS paid homage at Bir Smarak in Tundikhel, Kathmandu. #IndiaNepalFriendship @adgpi @MEAIndia @thenepalesearmy pic.twitter.com/ucpbhS2xyi
— IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) November 5, 2020

The Army Chief is on a three-day visit to Nepal today on invitation his Nepali counterpart. The visit aims to further strengthen strategic and defence cooperation between the two countries.