Pune: Southern Command GOC-in-C Strengthens India-Nepal Military Ties During Seven-Day Visit
Pune/Kathmandu, 20th January 2024: Lt. Gen. AK Singh, GOC-in-C of the Indian Army’s Southern Command and President of the Gorkha Brigade, recently visited the revered Muktinath Temple situated at the foothills of Tharang La Pass in Mustang, Nepal.
During this visit, he paid his respects at the ‘Bipin Bell,’ which was installed in February 2023 in memory of Late Gen Bipin Rawat. The Army Commander is currently on a seven-day visit to Nepal starting from January 16, 2024.
The installation of ‘The Bell’ at the sacred Temple took place in February 2023 during the visit of four former Indian Army Chiefs – Gen VN Sharma, Gen JJ Singh, Gen Deepak Kapoor, and Gen Dalbir Suhag. All of them are also Honorary Generals of the Nepal Army and had visited Nepal to attend the 260th Nepali Army Day in 2023.
Late Gen Bipin Rawat, a proud Gurkha Officer, had a profound connection with Nepal and its people. He consistently worked towards strengthening the camaraderie and brotherhood between both Armies and Nations. The installation of the Bipin Bell at the temple signifies his keen interest in visiting the Temple, a plan he had in 2021, which unfortunately could not materialize due to his untimely demise.
During his visit, Lt. Gen. Singh also met with Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma, Chief of the Nepali Army. They discussed enhancing military bilateral relations between the two nations to strengthen the Army-to-Army connection.
In addition to his visit to Muktinath, Lt. Gen. Singh interacted with Nepal Domicile Gorkha Veterans, Veer Naris, and their dependents during visits to Pokhara, Baglung, Dharan, and Kathmandu. Through various Ex-Servicemen rallies, he updated them on various welfare measures, including pension benefits and initiatives undertaken by the Indian Army.
