Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Indian Army Chief Seth Visits Nepal to Strengthen Defence Ties
India’s top army leader, General Dhiraj Seth, visited Nepal.
He met Nepal’s prime minister, defence minister and army chief.
Nepal’s president gave him an honorary army rank as a sign of friendship.
India and Nepal have followed this special tradition since 1950.
The two sides discussed ways to improve their military relationship.
India also gave Nepal vehicles and medical equipment for emergencies and humanitarian work.
Seth visited military schools, an army headquarters and Indian Army veterans during the trip.
The visit happened while India and Nepal still disagree about parts of their shared border.
Indian Army chief General Dhiraj Seth met Nepal’s Prime Minister and Defence Minister Balendra Shah in Kathmandu on August 18.
Seth was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Ramchandra Paudel.
Seth held talks with Nepali Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel on expanding bilateral military cooperation.
India provided vehicles and medical equipment to support Nepal’s disaster preparedness and humanitarian response.
The visit took place amid an unresolved boundary dispute over Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani.
- Who
- Indian Army chief General Dhiraj Seth, Nepal’s Prime Minister and Defence Minister Balendra Shah, President Ramchandra Paudel, and Nepali Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel.
- What
- An official visit involving leadership meetings, an honorary military rank, bilateral defence discussions, and the handover of equipment.
- When
- August 17–19, with sources differing on whether the visit was three or four days; Seth met Shah on August 18.
- Where
- Kathmandu and other locations in Nepal, including Singha Durbar, Nepal Army Headquarters, Shivapuri, Pokhara and Kohalpur.
- Why
- To strengthen India-Nepal defence cooperation, military ties, mutual trust and broader bilateral relations.
Nepal’s Position
India’s Position
Boundary claims
Nepal’s Position
Nepal identifies Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani as part of a long-standing boundary dispute and has said it is discussing the matter with India.
India’s Position
India maintains that the disputed territories are part of Uttarakhand.
Third-party involvement
Nepal’s Position
Nepal has said it was also in contact with China and the United Kingdom regarding the border issue.
India’s Position
India has categorically rejected a role for third parties in resolving the boundary dispute.
Meaning of the visit
Nepal’s Position
Nepal’s reported border concerns and broader unease in bilateral ties form the wider context for the military engagement.
India’s Position
The Indian Embassy described the visit as strengthening the multifaceted relationship and reaffirming unique, time-tested defence ties.
- Indian Army chief
- General Dhiraj Seth
- Nepal’s prime minister and defence minister
- Balendra Shah
- Honorary rank
- General of the Nepali Army, conferred on Seth by President Ramchandra Paudel
- Military tradition
- India and Nepal have reciprocally conferred honorary General ranks on each other’s army chiefs since 1950
- Equipment provided
- Vehicles and medical equipment for disaster preparedness and humanitarian response
- Other activities
- Seth visited the Nepali Army Command and Staff College, met Indian Army veterans in Pokhara and visited the Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit duration
- Sources describe the August 17–19 visit as either three days or four days
