Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel is set to depart for Thailand on Monday to participate in the 2025 Annual Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense (CHOD) Conference, scheduled to take place from August 26 to 28 in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Jointly organised by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the United States Indo-Pacific Command, the conference brings together senior military leaders from across the Indo-Pacific region.

According to a statement issued by the Nepali Army, the conference aims to promote mutual trust, friendship, and strategic coordination among participating nations.

The dialogue is expected to address shared security challenges and encourage collective approaches to regional peace and stability.

Nepal has been regularly participating in the conference since 1988, underlining its ongoing commitment to international military diplomacy and collaboration, it said.

During CoAS Sigdel’s absence, Lieutenant General Nirmal Kumar Thapa will assume the role of Acting Chief of Army Staff.

General Sigdel’s visit underscores Nepal’s active engagement in regional military affairs and its emphasis on maintaining constructive relations with defense counterparts across the Indo-Pacific.