Kathmandu (TIP): Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on November 24 concluded his five-day official visit to Nepal to strengthen bilateral ties. However, there is no clarity on the way ahead for the fresh recruitment of soldiers from Nepal into the Indian Armed Forces that has been on hold for the past four years.
“The visit, which exceeded all stated objectives, further solidified the robust defence cooperation, cultural ties and mutual respect between the two nations. It underscored the shared commitment of the Indian and Nepali Armies to fostering peace, security and partnership in the region,” an official statement issued on Sunday read.
During his tour, described as “resoundingly successful”, Gen Dwivedi held discussions with President of Nepal Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Defence Minister Manbir Rai and his Nepali counterpart, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, but there is no reference to the resumption of recruitment of Gorkha soldiers from Nepal in official statements or media reports.
Reports from Nepal also said Prime Minister Oli emphasised the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and expand ties. The Indian Army Chief’s visit came in the backdrop of strains in bilateral relations and growing Chinese interest in Nepal. This visit was preceded by the Director-General of Shashtra Seema Bal that guards the Indo-Nepal border holding talks with his counterpart in Nepal.
The recruitment of soldiers from Nepal has been suspended since 2020 following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and thereafter the introduction of the Agniveer scheme in 2021 that entails a four-year term for new recruits into the rank and file of the three services. Only 25 per cent would be absorbed into permanent service.
Nepal did not agree to the terms of the Agniveer scheme for its citizens, saying that it violated the terms of the tripartite India-Nepal-Britain Agreement in 1947. It also voiced concern over the re-employability of Gorkha soldiers after their four-year term expires.
The India-Nepal relations are steeped in history over shared economic, social and cultural affinity and military-to-military cooperation is an important element of this bond. The Nepal-India Bilateral Consultative Group on Security Issues (NIBCGSI) that meets regularly is the forum for this exchange. (TNS)