Kathmandu Nepal, 6 September : Visitor Indian Army chief, Gen Manoj Pande on Tuesday called on the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday as part of his five-day Nepal trip.He was joined by Ambassador Naveen Srivastava, as well as other members of the delegation According to Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
General Pande met with the Prime Minister about his activities in Kathmandu and expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm welcome offered by the government of Nepal the Embassy said in an announcement.
He confirmed that he will work to improve the cooperation in defence between the two countries.
In the earlier hours in the daytime the Indian Army chief had visited Nepali Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri and spoke to the staff and students at the college.
The following Monday he received an honourary grade of General of the Nepali Army by President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
He was honored during an exclusive ceremony held at the official residence of the President “Shital Niwas” in Kathmandu.
He was also presented with an axe and scroll at the event.
The event was attended by the Indian Ambassador as well as other senior officials of both countries.
The practice is based on an ancient tradition of seven decades of awarding Army Chiefs of their respective countries with the title of honorary.Commander-in-Chief, General K.M.Cariappa was the first Indian Army chief to be recognized with the title of Commander-in-Chief in 1950.
General Pande is scheduled to visit the Muktinath Temple in Mustang district on Wednesday.
On the following day he will also go to the Mid Command Headquarters of the Nepali Army in Pokhara.
giri/vd
