Nepal has issued a stern call to Russia, urging an immediate halt to the recruitment of its Gurkha soldiers for frontline combat in Ukraine.
This demand comes in the wake of significant casualties among Nepali soldiers, which has ignited widespread discontent in Nepal, as per to Independent.
Nepal Protests Russian Use of Gurkhas in Ukraine War
Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, six Nepali Gurkhas serving in the Russian military have tragically lost their lives, as confirmed by Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. In addition to these fatalities, one Nepali soldier has been captured in Ukraine, a fact that underscores the involvement of Nepalis in the Russian military efforts.
The Nepali government's plea to Moscow includes the cessation of using Nepali mercenaries and the return of any Nepalis currently serving in Russia. This appeal was reinforced by a statement from Nepal's foreign ministry, which acknowledged the death of six Nepali citizens while serving in the Russian army and identified another citizen currently detained in Ukraine. The specifics of their deaths, however, remain undisclosed.
This development follows a cautionary notice issued by the Nepali government in August, advising its citizens against participating in security operations in conflict zones. Furthermore, the Nepali government has requested Russia to repatriate the remains of the deceased soldiers and provide compensation to their bereaved families.
Amidst this diplomatic tension, Russian forces are engaged in a fierce battle to capture Avdiivka, a key industrial town in Ukraine's Donetsk region. This conflict marks a stark contrast to the peaceful, Hindu-majority Himalayan nation of Nepal, situated over 5,350 kilometers away from the turmoil in Ukraine, according to South China Morning Post.
Nepal's Economy Depends on Remittances, Gurkhas
The economic backdrop of this situation is significant. Many Nepalis seek employment opportunities abroad, with remittances playing a vital role in Nepal's economy. Last year, remittances accounted for nearly a quarter of Nepal's GDP, ranking it ninth globally in terms of dependency on remittances, as per World Bank data.
The Gurkhas of Nepal have a long-standing reputation for their exceptional combat skills and bravery. Historically recruited into the British army, they first served in British-ruled India in 1815 and continued to be a part of the British and Indian armies post-India's independence in 1947 under a tripartite agreement.
Nepal, on the other hand, does not have such an arrangement with Russia. The estimated 150-200 Nepalese troops who are recruited by the Russian army as mercenaries are considered a break from this tradition. Additionally, diplomatic channels are currently active to secure the release of the captured Nepali citizen from Ukrainian custody.
The situation is further complicated by Russia's alleged strategy to recruit foreign soldiers to circumvent the need for a new mobilization before its 2024 presidential elections. This tactic aligns with recent discoveries in Cuba of a human trafficking operation that forced Cuban citizens into the Russian military, with over 119 Cubans already trained at a Russian base near Moscow, Yahoo News reported.
