The four-day visit of General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Nepal Army, to India has marked a significant development in the defence relationship between the two countries. With both sides focused on enhancing their military cooperation, General Sigdel’s trip comes at a time when India and Nepal are working to solidify their longstanding ties. During his visit, General Sigdel engaged in high-level discussions, participated in military ceremonies, and explored opportunities for further collaboration in defence and peacekeeping operations.
High-Level Meetings and Strategic Discussions
General Sigdel’s visit saw him meet with several key Indian defence officials, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. These meetings centered around expanding defence cooperation, enhancing joint military exercises, and reinforcing peacekeeping efforts, areas where both countries already have a shared commitment. The discussions aimed to build upon existing partnerships and lay the groundwork for deeper military collaboration in the future.
Honorary Generalship and Military Ceremonies
A notable moment during General Sigdel’s visit was the conferral of the Honorary Generalship of the Indian Army. This prestigious title reflects the historic and enduring friendship between the two-armed forces. The honorary appointment is part of a long-standing tradition and demonstrates the mutual respect that exists between the Nepal Army and the Indian Army.
Additionally, General Sigdel attended the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, where he reviewed the commissioning of new officers, including two Nepali cadets, Officer Cadet Binod Bhatt and Officer Cadet Prabin Pandey. This ceremony highlighted the ongoing training and military exchanges between the two countries.
Advancing Military Capabilities and Cooperation
During his visit, General Sigdel and his Indian counterparts agreed to enhance the military capabilities of the Nepal Army. As part of this collaboration, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, announced the donation of a drone for target practice and medical equipment for Nepal’s field hospital. These contributions aim to bolster Nepal’s preparedness, especially in peacekeeping missions where both India and Nepal are significant contributors.
Further, both sides discussed increasing the scope of the Surya Kiran joint military exercise. This exercise, which involves both armies, will be expanded to include more complex drills, focusing on improving interoperability and peacekeeping readiness.
Exploring Indian Defence Industry
General Sigdel also visited key Indian defence facilities, including Tata Aerospace and Defence Limited (TASL) and Bharat Forge in Pune. These visits provided insights into India’s advanced defence manufacturing capabilities, which could form the basis for future collaborations in technology and defence equipment production.
Cultural Ties: A Visit to Ayodhya
In addition to the defence-related engagements, General Sigdel visited the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Nepal. This visit added a personal dimension to the official trip, emphasizing the long-standing ties that go beyond military and political cooperation.
Unresolved Issue: Agniveer Recruitment
While the visit focused on enhancing bilateral defence relations, the issue of recruiting Nepali citizens under the Agnipath scheme remains unresolved. Nepal has expressed concerns over the inclusion of Nepali-origin youth in the Indian Army’s Gorkha Regiment under the new recruitment scheme. For the past two years, Nepali citizens have not been recruited, and it is uncertain whether this topic was addressed during the visit.