KATHMANDU – The Embassy of Kathmandu has said that the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of India General Manoj Mukund Naravane will deepen the long-standing and customary bond of friendship between the two armies.
In a series of tweets today on the eve of Indian Army Chief Naravane’s scheduled visit to Nepal, the Indian Embassy said that the visit will also provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral defence partnership.
“In reply to several media queries regarding upcoming official visit of COAS of India from 4th Nov, the Indian Embassy’s spokesperson Mr. Naveen Kumar said that Gen. MM Naravane’s visit would deepen the long-standing and customary bonds of friendship between the two Armies,” read the tweet of the Indian Embassy.
“His visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss bilateral defence partnerships and explore avenues to further strengthen it for mutual benefit,” added another tweet.
During his three-day visit to Nepal beginning from Wednesday, Indian Army Chief General Naravane will receive the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army in an investiture ceremony. The Indian Army Chief is also scheduled to call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as well as hold a courtesy call with his Nepali counterpart Purna Chandra Thapa.
This will be the first visit for General Naravane, the 28th Army Chief of India to Nepal. As part of customary military practice between the two neighboring countries to confer the rank of General of Army for each other’s army chief, Nepal’s Army Chief Thapa has already received such a rank from the Indian Army.
