(Ritambhara, intern journalist) Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Narwane reached Kathmandu on Wednesday on a three-day visit to Nepal.
At a time when India-Nepal relations are not good due to the border dispute, Narwane’s visit is expected to strengthen relations between the two neighboring countries.
Though his journey is routine, a statement on the border dispute in his May created controversy. Security officials are therefore particularly careful in Kathmandu.
A senior Nepal Police official told that the Nepal Army, the Indian Embassy, and other Nepal security agencies are keeping a close watch on the situation in Kathmandu.
A security official told, “We are aware of these things and are keeping a close watch.”
Due to security reasons, details of the visit to Narwane, the time of his arrival, the route for the visit to the President’s office and the Prime Minister’s residence, including other details have not been disclosed.
According to the official, a large number of policemen in plainclothes have been deployed in Kathmandu in view of the possible protests. Police have also taken some suspects into custody.
A day before his visit, Narwane said in a statement on Tuesday that he is happy for his upcoming visit at the invitation of Nepal Army Chief General Purna Chandra Thapa.
He said I am sure that this visit will go a long way in strengthening the friendship of both the armies.
The main events of his program include paying tribute at the martyr memorial at the Army Pavilion, receiving the Guard of Honor at the Army Headquarters, holding an official meeting with General Thapa, and addressing students of the Army Command and Staff College at Shivapuri, Kathmandu.
According to the official statement, during this special visit, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Narwane will be honored with the honor of the post of Honorary General of the Nepalese Army on Thursday.
Nepal and India have a historical tradition of giving honorary degrees to each other’s army chiefs since 1950.
General Narwane is the most senior Indian official to visit Nepal after the border dispute between the two countries since last November, after placing disputed areas in his new political map.
This was opposed by Nepal after opening a new route connecting Mansarovar in the state of Uttarakhand as the new road is at a triangular turn between Nepal, India, and China.
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