Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat, who arrived here today on a four-day official visit to Nepal, will be conferred the honorary rank of general of the Nepal Army.
Chief of Staff of Nepal Army Purna Chandra Thapa received Rawat in Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu today.
Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will confer the honorary General of Nepal Army to Rawat at a special programme at her official residence 'Sheetal Niwas' tomorrow. The national defence forces of India and Nepal have a tradition of conferring such titles to chiefs of their armies since 1950.
The Army chief will also hold talks with the top leadership of the Himalyan nation whose relationship with India in recent times has not been very cordial.
Rawat's trip to Nepal comes days after Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan visited the country. Rawat, who became the chief of the Indian Army on December 31, was invited by the Nepal government soon after he assumed office.
During the visit, the Indian army chief will call on Prime Minister Prachanda, Defence Minister Balkrishna Khand and will meet his Nepalese counterpart Rajendra Chhetri, according to a statement issued by the Nepal Army.
According to Nepal Army Spokesperson Brigadier General Bal Jhankar Bahadur Kadayat, Gen Chhetri will be hosting dinner for his counterpart at his residence this evening.
Gen Rawat will also visit famous tourist spots and pilgrim sites in Nepal besides inspecting the high altitude training centre of Nepal Army and visiting the Indian Ex-Army pension paying camp situated in Pokhara.
Then, he will go to Manag and visit Muktinath temple.
Rawat is also scheduled to visit Pashupati Nath temple.
Such high-level exchange of visits between Nepal Army and the Indian Army will help deepening and expanding bilateral relations between the two armies, the statement added.
During the visit, issues related to the purchase of military equipments for the Nepal Army are expected to come up during discussion. Most of the defence equipment to Nepal are supplied from India.
