The Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane concluded his three-day formal visit to Nepal and returned to India on Friday.

The visit of the COAS of the Indian Army comes at a time when bilateral relations between the two countries have been strained and his visit was interpreted as a major step towards rejuvenating the cordiality between the two nations.

Nepali Army (NA) concluded the visit was highly successful asserting that it was able to solidify military to military relations between the two countries.

When General Naravane’s visit was announced, there was wide spread opposition and the NA was bitterly criticized for inviting and honoring someone that had denigrated Nepal’s national dignity.

While the Nepal-India border dispute over Lipulek, Limpiyadhura had peaked, General Naravane made unwarranted remarks on Nepal’s sovereignty claims claiming  that Nepal was acting on the behest of someone else, indicating China.

The quiet behind the scene efforts made by Nepali COAS General Purna Chandra Thapa, however, had induced General Naravane to rectify his statement later at an army function in Dehradun where he extolled Nepal-India relations as exemplary. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh too changed his statement against Nepal at the request of the Indian Army top brass – particularly Indian Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat.

After this visit, however, the NA seems to have remarkably turned things around and is poised to win plaudits. That is mainly because a closer look at the events choreographed by the NA during General Naravane’s visit demonstrated that NA subtly but craftily imparted several implicit messages on Nepal’s stance on its sovereignty.

COAS General Thapa during his formal banquet speech mentioned the need to respect each other’s sovereignty asserting that it was equal for all nations. He did it obliquely by stating that Nepal respects the sovereignty of its neighbors and expects reciprocity.

He further stated that NA takes the India-Nepal border as open but as regulated and monitored. He added that criminal and illegal activities that threaten to harm the security interests of either country would be intolerable and that he expected India to feel the same.

He stated that Nepal’s foreign policy is based on Panchasheel and that Nepal believed in maintaining amity with all and enmity with none. He further emphatically asserted that NA would immediately take action against anyone infringing or threatening the security interests of its neighbors. General Thapa thus made it clear that Nepal expects the same from its neighbors when it comes to Nepal’s national security.

In response, General Naravane noted that there has always been a strong bond between the two armies and that it would only strengthen further in the days ahead.

At the official banquet to honor General Naravane, high ranking military officials, secretaries of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former Nepali Army Chiefs Pyar Jung Thapa, Rukmangad Katuwal and Rajendra Chhetri were present.

Symbolism galore

COAS Thapa, through his speech, underscored the unwavering commitment of NA in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation. But, more than that, he strategically appears to have given highly symbolic messages through his gestures.

1. Photo shoot in front of the statue of Prithvi Narayan Shah:

The two generals posed for a photo in front of the statue of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the unifier and founder of modern Nepal. Although the government and the political parties seem to have disregarded Shah, Nepali Army firmly considers Shah as the founding father of the nation and has his pictures hung in almost every unit. The large Prithvi Narayan Shah idol was gifted by the former COAS General Rajendra Chettri as his gift to the NA right before his retirement. By taking pictures with Shah in the background, NA appears to be demonstrating its dedication towards the nation’s unity and integrity.

2. Gift of Buddha:

COAS Thapa gifted a statue of Buddha to General Naravane. The picture posted by NA shows him gifting the Buddha with the statue of Prithvi Narayan Shah at the backdrop. This is perhaps to affirm that Buddha was born in Nepal. Along with the affirmation, the gift seems to signify Nepal’s desire for a peaceful resolution to the bilateral disputes besetting the two countries.

3. Mountain flight to Mount Everest region:

Several months ago, CGTN, a Chinese media organization had published a news claiming Sagarmatha to be in the Chinese territory and the Indian media had broadcasted the news with added gusto.  The Chinese media realized its mistake and rectified it, but the Indian media did not disseminate the information of the later development. The NA’s arrangement of General Naravane’s flight to the Everest region could be interpreted as strong message to dispel rumors and misconception of territorial claims made by China.

4. Planting a walnut sapling on the south-side of Army HQ:

The walnut tree symbolizes strength and endurance. As part of visit to Army HQ, General Naravane planted a walnut sapling at the southern side of the HQ premises as if to symbolize strong and unbreakable bond between the two armies. The Indian blockade on Nepal in 2015 was lifted after steps taken by the armies of both countries. At a time when both countries seem to be drifting apart, the message of a strong bond was something that both Armies seemed intent on propagating to their respective constituencies.

Apart from that, COAS Thapa has also gifted two old photos of Paahupatinath and Muktinath to General Naravane respecting his religious beliefs.

Similarly, for the first time in its history, NA also provided 100 thousand pieces of high quality protective masks against COVID-19 to the Indian Army. This was NA’s symbolic gesture but appears motivated by its desire to grow more and more self sustainable in the days ahead. It is also learnt that the NA did not overtly solicit any type of assistance from the Indian Army during General Naravane’s visit.

According to NA source, General Naravane oozed humility, simplicity and utmost professionalism in his demeanor throughout the trip. Through his impeccable words and actions, he was apparently able to build great rapport with his counterpart. He reportedly stayed away from any would be prickly topics and from media to avoid any slippages that could stoke further tensions between the two countries. He simply emphasized the need to forge an even stronger bond between the two armies.

The Indian Army has handed over medical supplies and equipments for the establishment of field hospitals during this visit. According to the source, although the Indian Army chose not to disclose the monetary value of the aid, the value is much greater than ever before. The Indian Army chief has also announced that he would release military supplies that have remained stuck in India since many years.