Minister Khanal urges UK to address Gurkha veterans’ longstanding grievances

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has urged Britain to address the long-standing grievances of Gurkha veterans concerning unequal pay and pensions. Khanal spoke with Britain's Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis via telephone as former Gurkha soldiers warned of staging a "fast unto death" in Kathmandu if their demands remain unmet.

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I told the British defence secretary that we want to see this longstanding issue resolved at the earliest possible time.

The conversation preceded another round of tripartite talks, expected by July 21, involving representatives from Nepal, the United Kingdom, and Gurkha veterans. The previous round in London on March 18 concluded without a resolution. Khanal emphasized the need for an early resolution, stating that it would strengthen Nepal-UK relations and build a foundation for the next 200 years. He also noted that Nepal's Supreme Court has directed the government to work towards resolving the issue.

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We feel responsible to deliver results. Resolving the Gurkha issue would allow Nepal-UK relations to move forward and help lay the foundation for the next 200 years of our relationship.

Jarvis, who took office on June 12, affirmed the British government's commitment to resolving the matter. He acknowledged the potential for a change in UK government leadership next week and pledged to personally advance the issue. Jarvis also recalled his personal connection to Nepal, having first visited in 1991.

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I also shared that Nepal’s Supreme Court has directed the government to work towards resolving the issue.

Gurkha veterans, represented in the negotiations, argue that soldiers who served between 1948 and 1993 faced discrimination. They were placed under a separate legal framework, denying them equal pay and pensions compared to British soldiers. Krishna Bahadur Rai, a member of the veterans' negotiating team, stated that those serving during that period should receive the same compensation as their British counterparts. The veterans presented an 11-point demand in March, but the British side proposed additional welfare benefits instead of equal pensions for pre-1993 Gurkhas, a proposal the veterans rejected as distinct from equal pay and pensions.

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Those who served during that period should receive the same pay and pension as British soldiers.