Delhi’s Top Military Leader Visits Nepal, Discusses Recruitment Under Agnipath

During his four‑day tour of Nepal, General Dhiraj Seth, the head of India’s land forces, convened a formal meeting with Prime Minister Balendra Shah. The session, conducted at the prime ministerial office, was observed by Ambassador Nayeem Srivastava.

The agenda is believed to have centred on the Agnipath recruitment drive, which has been inactive for Nepali applicants since the COVID‑19 outbreak and was later paused after the scheme’s rollout. Nepal’s government argues that the programme contravenes the 1947 tripartite agreement among India, Nepal and the United Kingdom.

The visit also highlighted a historic ceremonial exchange that took place earlier in the week, where President Ram Chandra Paudel awarded General Seth an honorary rank in the Nepali Army – a gesture that reinforces the enduring defence partnership between the two nations.