Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Indian Army Chief Receives Honorary Nepali Army General Rank
The leader of India's army, General Dhiraj Seth, went to Nepal for a special visit.
Nepal's president gave him an honorary title from Nepal's army.
This is a friendly tradition between the two countries that started in 1950.
The two army leaders met to talk about working together.
General Seth also gave Nepal's army some military and medical equipment.
There is also a question about whether young people from Nepal can join India's army.
That has been stopped since 2019.
Nepal paused it because of a new Indian program called Agnipath.
Some young people in Nepal want to join, but the government has not allowed it yet.
The visit is about friendship and defence, but the recruitment issue is still not decided.
Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday evening to receive the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army.
Nepal's President Ram Chandra Poudel conferred the honorary rank on Monday during a special ceremony.
The tradition of conferring honorary General ranks on each other's army chiefs dates back to 1950.
Seth met Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel and handed over military and medical equipment to the Nepali Army.
Recruitment of Nepali youths into the Indian Army has been halted since 2019, with Nepal suspending it after India introduced the Agnipath scheme in 2022.
- Who
- Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, and Nepali President Ram Chandra Poudel
- What
- General Seth received the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army and discussed bilateral military cooperation, handing over military and medical equipment to the Nepali Army.
- When
- Sunday evening arrival; the honorary rank was conferred on Monday during a three-day visit.
- Where
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Why
- To strengthen defence ties and military-to-military cooperation between India and Nepal, continuing a tradition dating back to 1950.
Supporters of Resuming Recruitment
Nepali Government's Position
Nepali youth recruitment under Agnipath
Supporters of Resuming Recruitment
Nepali youths, including those who rallied in Pokhara, want the government to allow them to join the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme, citing limited employment opportunities in Nepal.
Nepali Government's Position
The Nepali government halted recruitment, arguing the Agnipath scheme is inconsistent with the 1947 Tripartite Agreement between India, Nepal, and the UK.
- Visitor
- Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth
- Host
- Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel
- Ceremony
- Honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army conferred by President Ram Chandra Poudel
- Tradition start
- 1950
- Previous honorary rank
- General Sigdel received honorary rank from Indian President Droupadi Murmu in December 2024
- Equipment handed over
- Military and medical equipment to the Nepali Army
- Recruitment status
- Halted since 2019; Nepal suspended after Agnipath scheme in 2022
- Agnipath scheme
- Up to 25% retained after four years; 75% discharged with lump-sum payment
