The Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor will proceed on a goodwill visit to Nepal from 19-22 Jan 2010. The visit assumes special significance in the light of enhanced defence cooperation between the two countries and our growing bilateral relationship with Nepal.
There have been a series of high level visits between the two countries to build up trust and mutual confidence. Both sides have indicated a desire to work towards building a mutually beneficial Defence Cooperation.
India has maintained strong diplomatic relations with Nepal in consonance with our Foreign Policy. The friendship between the two countries is based on common ideals and principles arising from a significant legacy of social and cultural commonality. Traditional linkages of the two Armies and Defence cooperation have been important tools towards cementing this friendship.
India enjoys a special military relationship with Nepal, with large number of Nepalese domicile Gorkha soldiers and officers serving in the Indian Army. Sustained cooperation between the two armies is ongoing in the fields of training, visits, equipment cooperation and miscellaneous mutually beneficial activities.
The General will visit various Nepal Army training establishments. The General is scheduled to interact with Nepalese Prime Minister, Defence Minister, COAS and various other dignitaries. Discussions on enhancing defence cooperation in the field of training/courses, UN Peace Keeping, sports, adventure activities and defence industry cooperation are likely during this visit.
The General will also be conferred Hony Rank of General of the Nepalese Army at a special investiture ceremony by the President of Nepal as per traditions in vogue. The COAS, Nepal Army was conferred the Hony Rank of General of the Indian Army by the President of Indian in Dec 2009.
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