The possibility of resuming recruitment of Nepali Gorkha soldiers is being considered as Nepali Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba arrived in India on Sunday (18 August) for a five-day visit.
Deuba is scheduled to meet with EAM S Jaishankar during his visit.
During the meeting, the recruitment of Nepali Gorkha soldiers in the Indian Army is anticipated to be discussed. This has been a topic of concern since 2020, as no new recruits have been accepted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The hiring process came to a halt once the pandemic hit.
Subsequently, India implemented the Agniveer recruitment program, enlisting individuals between the ages of 17 to 21.5 years as soldiers for a term of four years.
Under the plan, upon finishing four years of service, only the top 25 per cent of soldiers will be eligible for permanent commission. The remaining 75 per cent will receive a lump sum monetary compensation of Rs 12 lakh.
Ever since the implementation of the Agniveer initiative, Nepal has disallowed their enlistment in the Indian military and is refusing to comply with the brief duration of duty in Agniveer.
Consequently, the Indian Army has not been able to recruit any Nepali Gorkha soldiers, resulting in a shortage of 15,000 troops in its seven Gorkha regiments.
Overall, India has a total of 39 battalions and approximately 32,000 troops currently serving in various locations.
The Gorkha regiments boast a remarkable legacy within the Indian Army, where its soldiers have showcased exceptional bravery and valor in numerous conflicts.
The Gorkha regiments hold the unique distinction of being part of the armies of three different nations: India, Britain, and Nepal.
They have participated in all significant conflicts in which the Indian Army has been involved, spanning from the 1962 conflict with China to the Kargil war in 1999, and most recently, their involvement in Galwan Valley in Ladakh during June of 2020, once again facing China.
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