Army Chief Gen Naravane and Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari
Kathmandu: Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane was conferred upon the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Thursday.
He was honoured at a special ceremony at the President's official residence 'ShitalNiwas' in Kathmandu.
The General officer was also presented a sword and scroll during the function, Indian Embassy in Nepal said in a statement.
The ceremony was attended by the Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Indian Ambassador Vinay M Kwatra and other senior officials of both the countries.
The practice follows a seven decade old tradition of conferring Army Chiefs of each other's country with the honorary title.
Commander-in-Chief General KM Cariappa was the first Indian Army Chief to be decorated with the title in 1950.
In January last year, Chief of Nepali Army, General Purna Chandra Thapa, was also made the honorary General of the Indian Army by President Ram NathKovind at a ceremony in New Delhi.
Following the ceremony, Gen MM Naravane called on the President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari, it said.
He was accompanied by Ambassador Vinay M. Kwatra.
During the meeting with the President, Gen Naravane conveyed his gratitude for the honour bestowed upon him and also discussed measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation.
