Ex-Gorkhas seek recruitment revival as Indian Army chief visits Nepal

A group of former Gorkha soldiers has appealed to Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth to reinstate the recruitment of Nepali youths into the Indian Army, a practice suspended since 2020. The appeal was made by Gaj Bahadur Thapa, vice-president of the Nepal Bharatiya Gorkha Sainik Board, during an event in Pokhara.

Recruitment was initially halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained frozen. India's introduction of the Agnipath scheme in June 2022, a short-service model for recruits aged 17-23, further complicated the issue. This scheme, which offers a lump sum payment but no lifelong pension or medical coverage, sparked widespread protests in India and significant concerns in Nepal.

Nepal's government, led by then-prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, halted Gorkha recruitment pending a formal bilateral understanding. Concerns in Kathmandu centered on the potential social and national security implications of returning short-service personnel without pension security. During General Seth's four-day visit, the Agnipath scheme was not discussed in high-level formal meetings, and no concrete commitment was made regarding the resumption of recruitment.

“

We have been raising our voice for Gorkha recruitment, and you must also address it.