Prior to the investiture ceremony, Gen Singh had separately called on Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Defense Minister Bidhya Bhandari at their respective offices in Singh Durbar. [break]
During the meeting with the defense minister, Gen Singh assured that the Indian army or the government was ready to provide any kind of military assistance to Nepal.
“The government, however, should forward a formal request,” Subash Devkota, press adviser to the defense minister quoted Gen Singh as saying.
During Gen Gurung´s visit to India last year, India had pledged to provide military assistance worth two billion rupees to the NA. Gurung had also received the honorary title of the Indian army from President Pratibha Patil in December, 2009.
India has been providing military assistance to Nepal since 1962. However, the aid had been stalled following the singing of peace accord.
Pending military assistance from India include INSAS rifles, GPMG´s, 81 inch mortars, Mine Protecting Vehicles (MPVs), Armed Protecting Vehicles (MPVS), Riot Control Gears, etc.
Gen Singh also hosted a reception at Yak and Yeti Hotel in honor of Gen Gurung. He will return home on December 23.
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