Why Did India’s New Army Chief Choose Nepal for His First Foreign Visit?
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India’s Army Chief Dhiraj Seth’s choice to begin his tenure with a foreign visit to Kathmandu on Sunday signals Delhi’s special interest in the ongoing geopolitical competition in Nepal, experts say.
Prime Minister Walendra Shah is the highest-ranking official to undertake a diplomatic visit to a neighboring country since assuming office; Seth is expected to hold talks with Shah, who also serves as the defence minister.
Although neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Nepalese Army has officially confirmed details, officials have indicated the meetings are confirmed and moving forward positively.
It is a longstanding tradition that the army chiefs of Nepal and India are honorary generals of each other’s armies.
However, experts advise not to view this visit merely as a continuation of tradition. They emphasize that the Indian Army prioritizes the ‘special circumstances’ evolving in Nepal at present.
What Military Officers Are Saying
Photo credit, Nepal Army
According to Nepal Army spokesperson Assistant Rathi Rajaram Basnet, India’s Army Chief Seth is scheduled to receive the honorary rank of Maharathi from President Ramchandra Paudel on Monday.
Basnet added that Seth and Nepal’s Chief of Army Staff Ashokraj Sigdel will hold bilateral talks at the military headquarters.
Describing the visit as a routine exchange, Basnet said, “Discussions on the relationship between the Nepal Army and the Indian Army will take place, including topics of military exchange, training, and joint exercises.”
Seth, who has risen through the Armoured Corps, took charge as the Indian Army’s Chief of Army Staff on June 30.
He has experience commanding two Indian Army commands and expertise in strategic capability development and operational planning. Experts view his decision to begin the first foreign trip from Nepal as particularly significant.
Officials have also stated that Seth is expected to meet Prime Minister Walendra Shah on the same day he receives the honorary Maharathi title.
Traditional and Strategic Dimensions
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Retired Nepal Army Lieutenant Colonel Binod Basnyat described this visit to the BBC as having two key aspects.
“There are changes observed in Nepal’s internal politics, the void left by the Jenajati (Janajati) movement a year ago, and the resulting security concerns.”
“We are not isolated from the global strategic competition, especially the US–China conflict. This visit includes both traditional and strategic elements.”
As he rose to the premiership, the Indian side extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Shah. Shah has limited his meetings with foreign envoys, meeting only the Indian and Chinese ambassadors individually in the past week.
Previously, an Indian Foreign Secretary’s visit to Kathmandu was halted over protocol disagreements.
A Meaningful Visit
Many experts believe that despite political or diplomatic challenges in Nepal-India relations, military-to-military dialogue will continue, and high-level exchanges will help remove obstacles.
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Security analyst Indra Adhikari cited the use of military diplomacy to end the unofficial blockade seen at the border following Nepal’s constitution promulgation. He recommends viewing this visit as a reflection of special circumstances.
Adhikari states, “Currently, international and regional powers are puzzled over Nepal’s situation. They appear unsure how to effectively engage these powers. This confusion is clearly reflected in our diplomacy as well.”
She further adds, “The arrival of the Army Chief is meaningful because the military understands social and political dimensions wherever it operates. The army provides political advice and maintains close relations with the ruling party in India. Therefore, this visit might serve as a key channel for the government.”
She acknowledges that while the Indian side is always vigilant about its national interests, Nepal sometimes appears to lag behind in protecting individual and institutional interests.
Retired Nepalese Lieutenant Colonel Basnyat also expressed confidence that important government-level talks could take place with the Indian Chief of Land Staff.
He said, “Various solutions should be sought in Nepal’s security and political context. Discussions about border issues are also necessary, and it would be helpful for such matters to be raised between the government and the Army Chief.”
The Question of Gorkha Recruitment
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Due to the Covid pandemic, recruitment of Nepalese youths into the Indian Army has halted. Some Indian media outlets raised the issue of recruiting Nepali youth under the Agnipath scheme ahead of this visit.
About two weeks ago, former Indian Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan stated Nepali Gorkhas under the Agniveer scheme are treated as Indian citizens and insisted there should be no difference in treatment between Nepali and Indian citizens.
At that time, after saying “The ball is in Nepal’s court,” retired Indian Major General Ashok Mehta clarified that India will not raise this recruitment issue with Nepal as a point of contention.
An article published in The Pioneer’s online edition on Saturday mentioned that Seth will participate in a program with retired Gorkha veterans in Pokhara and that military recruitment topics may arise in Nepal.
Previous Indian army chiefs did not express views on the Agnipath scheme during visits to Nepal.
Since the formation of the new government, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal stated in an interview that no discussions on this matter have occurred with India.