Ways to enhance bilateral military cooperation and other issues of mutual interest came up for discussion between Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh and his Nepalese counterpart Gen Chhatraman Singh Gurung in Kathmandu.

General Singh assumed the top army post last month in India, held bilateral talks with Gen Gurung soon after arriving in Nepal on a 5-day trip. During their meeting, they discussed matters relating to promoting cooperation between the two armies and other issues of mutual interest, Nepal Army Headquarters sources said.

Gen Singh, who is here at the invitation of the Nepal Army Chief, also met senior officials of Nepal Army after his meeting with Gen Gurung. He was briefed about current situation in Nepal and the role being played by the Nepal Army, the sources said.

Gen Singh also took part in a wreath laying ceremony at Bir Smarak at the Nepal Army (NA) Pavilion in the Tundikhel area in the heart of the capital. He will call on Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on Wednesday.

Yadav will confer the title of honorary general of Nepal Army on Gen Singh, a reciprocal gesture practised by both countries since 1965. Gen Singh will also pay a visit to Nepal Army's training centres, including the Birendra Peacekeeping Training Center at Panchkhal and Mountain Warfare Training Centre in Mustang.

He will inspect the Indian Army Pension Camp and Nepal Army Western Divisional Headquarters in Pokhara on Thursday, officials at the Nepal Army Headquarters said. He is also scheduled to visit the birth place of Lord Buddha in Lumbini and address the 19th command and staff course cadets on Friday.