General Naravane was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Bidya Devi Bhandari

Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Friday called on Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and discussed the strengthening of bilateral defense and strategic ties between India and Nepal on Friday.


The Indian Army Chief was on a three-day visit to Nepal to strengthen ties with the Himalayan nation amid the stand-off with China along the Line of Actual Control.


“General MM Naravane #COAS #IndianArmy & Hony General #NepaliArmy called on the Rt Hon'ble Prime Minister of #Nepal Shri K P Sharma Oli. Strengthening of bilateral defense & strategic ties between two countries were discussed,” the Indian Army said in a tweet.




Earlier in the day, the COAS addressed the student officers and faculty of Army Command and Staff College in Nepal and recalled the historical linkages between both countries.


“General MM Naravane #COAS addressed the student officers & Faculty of Army Command & Staff College, #Nepal. The #COAS recalled the historical linkages between both countries and stated that these transcend professional exchanges & annual joint exercises,” the Indian army tweeted.




Gen Naravane was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Bidya Devi Bhandari at a special ceremony on Thursday, as part of a decades-old tradition that reflects the strong ties between the two militaries.


He was also presented with a sword and scroll during the function held at the President's official residence 'ShitalNiwas' in Kathmandu, according to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.




Following the ceremony, General Naravane called on the Nepal President Bhandari. He was accompanied by Ambassador Vinay M. Kwatra. During the meeting, General Naravane conveyed his gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him and also discussed measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation, said a statement by the Indian embassy.


In a statement welcoming the visit, the Nepal Army had said it, “believes that exchange of such high-level visits and continuation of tradition helps in strengthening relations between the two armies, contributing to enhanced relationship between the two countries.”


During his visit, taking ahead India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, Gen Naravane presented medical equipment for two field hospitals of Nepal Army. The equipment included X-ray machines, ICU ventilators, Video Endoscopy units, anesthesia machines, and ambulances.


This is not the first time that India has presented medical equipment to Nepal. India has time and again showed its firm support to the neighboring countries in their fight against COVID-19.



Last month, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, India offered Nepal 41 ambulances and 6 school buses to government and non-profit organizations in 30 districts of the Himalayan country.


Not just that, in August too, India gifted the Nepalese Army around 10 portable ICU ventilators to help the country in its fight against the pandemic.