Agencies

Kathmandu, November 06:

The Chief of Army Staff Indian Army, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, who is on a three-day visit to Kathmandu, met Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli at the latter’s residence on Friday in Baluwatar.

“Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had a courtesy meeting with Indian Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane. During the meeting, the Prime Minister said that Nepal and India have a long-standing and special relationship,” Rajan Bhattarai, Political Advisor to Nepal PM, told ANI in a telephonic conversation.

He further said that the Prime Minister said that there was a tradition of conferring the status of honorary Maharathi on the army chiefs of the two countries.

“During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that there was a good friendship between Nepal and India and that the issues between the two countries would be resolved through dialogue,” the Political Advisor added.

On November 4, Naravane started his tour by visiting religious places. He went to Kumari Ghar in Kathmandu Durbar Square and worshipped Living Goddess “Kumari” and later toured around Basantapur Durbar Square along with his spouse Veena Naravane.

During the visit, he also gifted medical equipment, including X-ray machines, computed radiography systems, ICU ventilators, video endoscopy units and anaesthesia machines, for two field hospitals of the Nepali Army.

On November 5, the Chief of Army Staff was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari. He was also presented with a sword and scroll during the function in the presence of PM Oli, Indian Ambassador Vinay M. Kwatra and other senior officials of both the countries.