Army Chief arrives in Nepal to reset ties

Kathmandu, November 4

Army chief Gen MM Naravane arrived in Nepal on Wednesday on a three-day crucial visit that is largely aimed at resetting the bilateral ties that came under severe strain following a bitter border row between the two countries.

Gen Naravane is visiting Nepal at the official invitation of Nepal Army chief Gen Purna Chandra Thapa.

He was accompanied by his wife Veena Naravane, who is the chairperson of the Army Wives’ Welfare Association (AWWA) of the Indian Army.

They were received by the Chief of General Staff, Lt Gen Prabhu Ram, upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

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“The Nepal Army believes such high-level visits and continuation of tradition helps in strengthening relations between the two armies, contributing to enhancing the relationship between the countries,” reads a statement issued by the Nepal Army. Gen Naravane on Tuesday said he was eagerly looking forward to the visit and exuded confidence that it would go a long way in strengthening the "bonds of friendship" between the two armies.

His engagements in Nepal include a visit to the headquarters of the Nepal Army, an address to the young military officers at Nepal Army’s Staff College and attending a banquet to be hosted in his honour by Chief of Nepal Army Gen Purna Chandra Thapa. He will hold formal talks with his counterpart at the Nepal Army headquarters on Thursday.

The Indian Army Chief will be conferred with the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army by President Bidya Devi Bhandari amid a special ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He will also pay a courtesy call on President Bhandari after the ceremony on Thursday. He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday. — PTI