General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of Army Staff of Nepal, met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss various aspects of India-Nepal bilateral relations. The meeting focused on strengthening defence cooperation and addressing mutual concerns between the two neighbouring countries.
During the discussions, Rajnath Singh emphasized that as close neighbours, India and Nepal share similar perspectives on several issues. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhancing its relations with Nepal under the framework of the ‘Neighborhood First Policy’. The Defence Minister expressed his deep satisfaction with the current state of bilateral ties, noting their robustness and mutual respect.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted key areas of defence cooperation between the two nations, including training programs, joint military exercises, and workshops. These efforts aim to enhance the capability of the Nepal Army. Additionally, the two leaders discussed the supply of defence equipment and other materials to further strengthen Nepal’s military preparedness.
In a symbolic gesture of the strong ties between India and Nepal, Rajnath Singh congratulated General Ashok Raj Sigdel on being conferred the Honorary rank of General of the Indian Army, a prestigious distinction that has been traditionally awarded to the Chiefs of the Nepal Army.
General Sigdel is currently on a four-day visit to India, during which he is expected to hold additional discussions on enhancing defence cooperation and regional security.
