In a significant move, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has personally appealed to his Nepali counterpart to resume the recruitment of Gorkha soldiers into the Indian Army.
This recruitment process, a cornerstone of the military ties between India and Nepal, has been on hold since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and further complicated by the introduction of India's Agnipath military recruitment scheme.
General Dwivedi expressed his hope for a swift resolution, stating, "I have personally requested the Nepal Army chief to revive the recruitment of the ethnic Gorkha community in the Indian Army. I am very hopeful that it will resume sooner than later."
This statement underscores the importance India places on the recruitment of Gorkhas, renowned for their valor and loyalty, who have been an integral part of the Indian Army since the 1947 tripartite agreement involving India, Nepal, and the UK.
The recruitment of Gorkhas was initially paused in 2020 due to the global health crisis. However, the suspension continued due to Nepal's concerns over the Agnipath scheme introduced in 2022. This scheme enlists new recruits, known as 'Agniveers,' for a short-term service of four years, without traditional benefits like pensions or gratuity. This departure from the traditional terms of service has been a point of contention for Nepal.
This halt in recruitment has not only created a shortage in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments but also strained the historical military relationship between India and Nepal.
For over four years, the prestigious Gorkha battalions have been operating without the infusion of fresh Nepali recruits, leading to a significant gap in manpower and impacting the continuity of tradition within these units.
General Dwivedi's appeal comes at a time when the absence of new Gorkha recruits is keenly felt. The Gorkhas have been a vital part of the Indian Army, contributing significantly to India's military engagements, both in peacekeeping operations and combat scenarios. Their absence has created a void not only in terms of numbers but also in the cultural and historical fabric of the Indian military.
The resumption of Gorkha recruitment would not only address the manpower shortage in the Gorkha regiments but also reinforce the historical bonds and military cooperation between India and Nepal. It would ensure the continuation of a proud legacy of Gorkha service in the Indian Army, upholding their tradition of valor and dedication.
