Nepal’s New Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel: Why India-Trained General Takes Helm Amid Crisis? | India News
Following the Gen-Z protests in Nepal, both President Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned and left the Nepal Army responsible for controlling the situation. When the army is now in the forefront, the command of the country stands in the hands of the army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel. This report is investigating its history and investigating its important ties with India.
A professional military officer with strong regional roots
Born on February 1, 1967 in Nepal, General Ashok Raj Sigdel is a professional and senior military officer. On September 9, 2024, the Nepali Army served as Army staff. His rich past in education and training extends from Nepal to India and China, which gives him solid information about Indian and Chinese military systems and strategies. Although he received military training from both countries, his relationship with India due to a special relationship between the two countries is particularly remarkable. India also gave him the honorary rank of the Indian Army and showed a greater affinity.
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Distinguished military career and comprehensive education
General Sigdel has a MA at the Tribhuvan University in Nepal. Moreover, there is a strategy from the National Defense University in China. Its strong proximity to India is clear with its reaching the Defense Management Course, which provides special works on military operations, strategy and management. This course has extremely increased solidarity and mutual understanding between Indian and Nepal armies.
General Sigdel started his service in 1987 in the Nepali army, and since then he has played many high -level roles. Battalion, Brigade and division levels commanded key units.
Military Education and Teaching in Three Countries:
In India:
Command and Personnel College, Shivpuri (Madhya Pradesh): Command and Personnel Training obtained.
Defense Management Course, India: Defense management has developed its skills.
In Nepal:
Ordu War College, Nepal: A higher command and management course.
In China:
China National Defense University: He received a master’s degree in strategic studies.
For this reason, the trilateral education of General Sigdel gave him a great vision and rich experience.
Strengthening of India-Nepal Military Relations
The honor of giving the honorary general title among Indian and Nepal armies is a tradition that represents strong military relations and deep friendship between the two countries since 1950. When General Ashok Raj Sigdel went to India and received an honorary title, he followed this tradition. It is not a personal experience for Sigdel, but a representation of respect and cooperation between India and Nepal’s armies.
Official Visits and Awards
In December 2024, General Sigdel had made an official trip to India, where President Droupadi Murmu received an honorary rank of the Indian Army. This is a tradition that represents strong friendship and respect between the two armies and develops the historical and symbolic relationship between Nepal and India’s armed forces.
In August 2025, Indian Foreign Minister Vikram Misri gave Sigdel with defense and medical materials and emphasized a strong commitment to defense cooperation between the two countries. During the visit, he attended the Indian military academy in India in Dehradun as the guest of the passage ceremony and interacted with the Chief of Indian Army Upndra Dwivededi. This award is a reflection of deep friendship and mutual cooperation in terms of military relations between India and Nepal, which has existed for more than 70 years.
Increased military cooperation and strategic dialogue
General Ashok Raj Sigdel’s visit to India strengthened the friendship and cooperation between Nepal and Indian armies. In the interaction of Indian military officials, issues include common military exercises, armament change and cultural cooperation. The visit was not just a ceremony visit; Strengthened the mutual trust, partnership and strategic cooperation between the two countries. In general, the visit was a major movement to improve India-Nepal Defense relations.
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