Yubaraj Ghimire, KATHMANDU: Army chief General Bikram Singh is slated to visit Nepal on a five-day official tour starting Tuesday. It would be Gen Singh’s first trip abroad since he assumed charge last month, and will be the second visit by an Indian Army chief in a gap of three months.
Directorate of Public Relations of Nepal Army said that Gen Singh will receive the title of Honorary General of Nepal Army from President Ram Baran Yadav — a practice of reciprocity between Army chiefs of the two countries since 1965.
Gen Singh would visit the Nepal Army’s training centres and institutions such as High Altitude training centre along Nepal-China border, Birendra Peace Keeping institution in Panchkhal, and Indian Army’s pension camp in Pokhara. He will address the ‘commanders’ undergoing training at the Army Institute at Tokha, and visit the office of Western Brigade of the Nepal Army. Gen Singh is also scheduled to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
The visit comes at a time when the Nepal Army faces shortage of arms and ammunition required for internal training. The Indian government is yet to resume arms supply to the Nepal Army — suspended since February 2005. Both the armies are likely to devise ways and means to develop machinery that can address natural disasters such as floods and earthquake, Nepal Army sources said.  (Indian Express)