KATHMANDU, 05 September 2021, (TON): Nepali Army (NA) has stated that the invitation extended to eight former Chief of Army Staffs (CoAS) of the NA to India could be acknowledged as an opportunity to further strengthen military ties between Nepal and India.

NA Spokesperson Santosh Ballav Poudel, responding to the query regarding invitation from the Indian Army to eight former CoAS in Nepal, said that the invite was a part of routine practice and past tradition to organise such exchange visits between the two military institutions to further consolidate the military diplomacy.

Poudel further said “the former chiefs of the Indian Army had also attended the events organized by the NA on the occasion of the Army Day in the past. Such has been the practice and tradition. The invitation from Indian Army to former CoAS of the NA was an extension of such practice and programme.”

The former CoAS of NA who were honorary Generals have been invited by the Indian Army for the Army Chiefs Conclave to be held in New Delhi, India, he clarified, adding that all the former living CoAS will visit India at a personal level.

Invitation was extended to Dharmapal Bar Singh Thapa, Prajwal Shumsher Rana, Pyara Jung Thapa, Rukmangud Katuwal, Chhatraman Gurung, Gaurav Shumsher JBR, Rajendra Chhetri and Purna Chandra Thapa.