India’s Strategy to Remain Silent Without Discussing Gorkha Recruitment with Nepal
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A retired senior Indian military officer recently commented that New Delhi has decided not to raise the issue of Gorkha recruitment with Nepal, stating it now depends on Kathmandu’s policy stance. This highlights how complex and delicate the matter has become.
Since India implemented the ‘Agnipath scheme’ for military recruitment five years ago, Nepalese citizens participating in the recruitment process have faced objections, leading Nepal to halt the recruitment of Indian Gorkhas from its side.
About one and a half months ago, in an interview, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal affirmed Nepal’s commitment to the tripartite agreement between Nepal, Britain, and India on Gorkha recruitment. He also stated Nepal is prepared to discuss reviewing the agreement if India formally proposes it.
Several associations of former Indian Gorkha soldiers in Nepal have been calling on the government to reopen recruitment of Nepali citizens into the Indian Gorkha regiments.
In this context, former Indian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan recently stated that the Agniveer plan treats Nepali Gorkhas differently from Indian citizens, which he said is unfair and untenable.
Why Has This Issue Arisen Now?
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In an interview with Indian media outlet The Print, former Indian Army Chief Anil Chauhan said the decision to allow or disallow recruitment of Nepali citizens under the Agnipath scheme now rests with Kathmandu.
Having served a long tenure in the 11th Gorkha Regiment of the Indian Army, Chauhan reiterated that the tripartite agreement between India, the UK, and Nepal is still valid. Retired Major General Ashok Mehta echoed this view, stating that India will not raise this issue anymore.
Mehta explained, “India will not bring up this matter (with Nepal), that’s why the former chief said so. It’s a matter that Nepal has to raise because legally and technically India has not erred.”
“However, from a strategic and friendship perspective, I have always maintained that India should have consulted Nepal or at least informed them in advance about such plans.”
The recruitment of Gorkhas by the British East India Company began in 1815 and has been governed ever since by the tripartite agreement signed between Nepal, Britain, and India in 1947. At the time of India’s independence, six Gorkha regiments became part of the Indian Army, while four units were transferred to the British Army.
Chauhan told The Print that the terms of the tripartite agreement are still being observed, citing that equality in service conditions was promised for Nepali soldiers by the British government at the time.
“That is why they receive equal pay and pensions… We have fulfilled our obligations under this treaty.”
Internal and External Efforts: What the Government Says
Under the Agneepath scheme, only a quarter of the recruits who serve four years in the army are retained on a permanent basis, while others are discharged with a severance package exceeding 1 million Indian rupees.
Nepal suspended recruitment of its citizens into Gorkha regiments, citing this unilateral Indian decision. Previous Nepali governments were concerned that managing young manpower trained militarily in India could pose challenges for post-conflict Nepal.
Retired Major General Ashok Mehta, who along with other former Gorkha officers discussed resuming Nepalese recruitment with Chief of Army Staff Chauhan, recalled the issue is more political than military.
“The chief said this is a political decision taken by the Indian Prime Minister. We suggested discussing with the Prime Minister, but he said the ball was in Nepal’s court.”
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Since the implementation of Agnipath in India, Nepal and India both have maintained silence on the Gorkha recruitment issue. Mehta claims he has advised officials during his visit to Nepal.
Mehta said, “For those who retire after four years, there is a reservation in the Central Reserve Police Force, but this is not allowed for Nepalis. I met three foreign secretaries in Kathmandu and suggested diplomatic efforts to address this.”
Nepalese officials reportedly have not had formal discussions with India on this matter.
Last month, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told in an interview that no talks occurred on this issue during his visit to India.
He stated, “This issue has not been formally raised by India since our government took office. Our current stance is based on the treaty under which the process was proceeding, and we remain committed to it.”
“If there is a need to review it and an official proposal comes, we are ready to discuss.”
What Does the Lamjung Protest Indicate?
Image Source, Photo Courtesy: Khemjung Gurung
With no resolution in sight for the stalemate over Gorkha recruitment, retired Indian Gorkha soldiers living in Lamjung district protested this month, urging the Nepal government to engage diplomatically so Nepalis can be recruited under the Agnipath scheme.
They submitted an 11-point memorandum to Chief District Officer Walendra Shah and requested coordination through a lawmaker of the Rastriya Swatantra Party to meet Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and party chairman Ravi Lamichhane.
Retired Subedar Major Khemjung Gurung, advisor of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Development Committee, told that recruitment is based on the tripartite agreement and cannot be stopped or revoked; rather, it must continue.
He mentioned the lack of employment opportunities domestically and urged not to block these job avenues.
“We demonstrated our strength. If the government continues to remain silent or ignores our demands and recruitment isn’t reopened, we are prepared to take to the streets,” he warned softly.
Their memorandum emphasizes that with only 25% securing permanent jobs, the employment opportunities will increase faster, and certificates of military service will also facilitate foreign employment.
Occasionally, various leftist parties in Nepal raise voices against sending Nepali citizens as ‘mercenary soldiers’ abroad, but they face criticism for staying silent on the issue while in power and not advocating for the rights of these soldiers.
Meanwhile, some analysts supporting continued Gorkha recruitment in the Indian Army argue that maintaining this tradition dating back two centuries strengthens diplomatic ties and people-to-people relations between the two countries.
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