Indian Army chief Gen Rawat calls on Nepal President, PM

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat today called on Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and discussed ways to promote bilateral relations, including military-to-military ties.
Gen Rawat, who arrived here on Monday on a three-day visit, had held a bilateral meeting with his Nepalese counterpart Rajendra Chhetri yesterday.
He also attended the Nepal Army Day celebrations as a special guest, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Nepal's unification.
He also visited Pokhara where he met with officers of the Western Division Headquarters of the Nepal Army, and paid homage at the Nepal Army War Memorial in Kathmandu.

Before wrapping up his visit to Nepal, Rawat called on President Bhandari at her office at Sheetal Niwas. Rawat held a discussion on further promoting the relations between the two armies with President Bhandari, who is also commander in chief of Nepal Army, Myrepublica.com quoted Nepalese officials as saying.
During the meeting held with Prime Minister Deuba, Rawat held a discussion on various issues related to mutual interests and promoting bilateral relations between Nepal and India.

Gen Rawat, who headed Gurkha Regiment comprising mainly of soldiers of Nepali origin in the past, had a conversation with Prime Minister Deuba in Nepali language, the paper quoted the prime minister's Foreign Relations Adviser Dinesh Bhattarai as saying.

During his stay in Nepal, Rawat also visited Pashupati Temple in Kathmandu and Bindhbasini Temple in Pokhara in the course of visiting Indian Army Pension Camp located in the tourist city.
The Indian Army's 14 Gorkha Training Centre Pipes and Drums Band and 58 Gorkha Training Centre Military Band were also in Kathmandu for the Nepal Army Day celebrations.