Wani Majid
General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Indian Army, has been conterred the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army by the Rt Hon’ble President of Nepal, Shri Ram Chandra Paudel, at a special Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Kathmandu, on August 17, 2026. The COAS is on an official visit to Nepal from 17 to 19 August 2026.The conferment is part of a unique and time-honoured military tradition under which India and Nepal reciprocally confer the honorary rank of General on the Chiefs of each other’s Army. The tradition stands apart as an enduring symbol of the close relationship between the Indian Army and the Nepali Army.More than a ceremonial honour, the reciprocal conferment is an institutional expression of mutual trust, professional respect and military camaraderie between the two Armies. Sustained across successive generations of military leadership, the ceremony therefore represents both tradition and strategic continuity. It underscores the commitment of the Indian Army and the Nepali Army to preserve their distinctive military relationship while strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.The honour being conferred on General Dhiraj Seth will further reinforce the special bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Indian and Nepali Armies and reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the longstanding defence partnership between the two countries.
