KATHMANDU, Nepal, August 17 (ANI): Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by Nepalese President Ram Chandra Paudel at an investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The honor was bestowed upon Gen. Seth in keeping with the unique tradition shared between the Indian and Nepali armies.
Earlier Monday, Gen. Seth received and inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honor at the Nepali Army Headquarters in Kathmandu during his three-day official visit to Nepal from August 17 to 19, aimed at bolstering bilateral military ties. As part of his scheduled itinerary, he also laid a wreath at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel.
Sharing details of the visit, the Ministry of Defense stated that the Army chief is scheduled to interact with his Nepali counterpart and receive a detailed briefing from the Director General of Military Operations of the Nepali Army on key issues of mutual strategic interest.
On August 18, Gen. Seth will address student officers at the Army Command and Staff Course in Shivapuri while interacting with instructors and foreign student officers. He is also slated to hold discussions on bilateral matters with senior Nepalese dignitaries.
On the final leg of his visit on August 19, the Army chief will travel to Pokhara to attend an ex-servicemen rally. During the event, he will felicitate Veer Naris and gallantry award recipients and interact with Indian Army veterans before departing for India.
Underlining the significance of the visit, the ministry highlighted that India and Nepal share unparalleled historical, social and cultural linkages, fondly described as the “Roti Beti Ka Rishta.” Civilizational connections such as Janakpur-Ayodhya and Lumbini-Bodhgaya make the two nations natural partners bound by democratic values and a shared commitment to regional peace and stability.
The visit underscores these deep-rooted military and cultural ties while opening new avenues for cooperation between the two armies.
Providing context to his professional military career, General Dhiraj Seth, who holds the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), joined the prestigious National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986.
Selfless service, integrity, diligence and devotion to the military profession have helped Gen. Seth achieve excellence in military skills and professionalism, ultimately elevating him to the position of Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army on June 30, 2026.
Over four decades of military service, he has proven his mettle as an officer and general in a range of command and staff assignments, contributing significantly to the Indian Army’s combat effectiveness and long-term transformation.
He has successfully commanded an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, an Armoured Brigade in the Western Theatre and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir. He has served as General Officer Commanding of the Delhi Area, commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, one of the Indian Army’s premier strike formations, and led both the South Western Command and Southern Command.
Gen. Seth is a graduate of the Higher Command Course and the National Defence College. He has also completed the prestigious Command and Staff Course in Paris, France.
Complementing his military career are pivotal strategic roles in shaping the Indian Army’s modernization trajectory, capability roadmap and long-term force-structuring initiatives.
The unique tradition represented by Monday’s ceremony not only strengthens the mutual ties between the Nepali and Indian armies but also bolsters the historic and enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, in which Gen. Seth’s contributions have been exemplary. (ANI)
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