India attaches highest priority to with Nepal in accordance with its ‘Neighborhood First’ & ‘Act East’ policies"

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande will be on an official visit to Nepal from Monday to strengthen existing bilateral defence ties and discuss cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

He will meet the Chief of the Army Staff of Nepali Army, apart from interacting with the country’s senior military and civilian leadership, the Ministry of Defence said announcing the visit on Sunday.

This is his first visit to Nepal as COAS.

Continuing a tradition of friendship between both armies, the Indian Army Chief will be conferred with the honorary rank of General of Nepal Army on Monday in a ceremony at Sital Nivas, the official residence of the President of Nepal.

General Pandey is scheduled to visit Nepal Army HQ where he will pay homage to the fallen soldiers and have interactions with the senior leadership of the Nepali Army. During his visit, the COAS will also interact with the student officers and faculty of the Nepali Army Command and Staff College Shivpuri.

The COAS will call on Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday.

Noting that India–Nepal relations are historic, multifaceted and marked by common cultural and civilisational ties, apart from mutual respect and trust, the Ministry of Defence said, " India attaches highest priority to its relationship with Nepal in accordance with its ‘Neighborhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies".

This visit will provide an opportunity to take stock of the existing bilateral defence ties and strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, the ministry added.