India ready to stop Gorkha recruitment, if Nepal wants
Posted by barunroy on May 26, 2008
New Delhi, May 26: The Special Envoy of the Prime Minister and former Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Shyam Saran, has said that India is ready to stop Gorkha recruitment if the Nepal Government wants it to.
Speaking at a talk programme organised at Indian International Center here, Saran also made it clear that India would suffer no “practical impact” by discontinuing the recruitment of Nepali nationalists in Gorkha regiments.
Saran, however, added that the recruitment has been continued with because of the “special relations” enjoyed by India and Nepal.
Stopping the recruitment of all Nepali nationals in Gorkha regiments in India and U.K features at the top of the priority list of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) party which has emerged as the biggest party after the Constituent Assembly (CA) election.
Some 40,000 Nepalese are currently serving in the Indian Gorkha regiments. [ANI]
May 26, 2008 at 11:37 am
For the last three centuries, Nepal and India’s ’special’ relnship has balanced solely on the Indian-Gorkha Regiments with reasons more than just providing employment for Gorkhas. At various stages in history, the leaders of either side have thought the alliance out very carefully for cultural, political, social and historical reasons. Nepal is taking a big risk by toppling down an institution which so far indicated no problems for anyone except for the Chinese who dig at Nepal whenever they ask for financial help about Gorkha soldiers in the Indian army who fought against them in the Indo-China war. The Chinese say why we should we help you when you are allowing nepalese to join the Indian army. So are the Maovadis taking this stand only to please China? Maovadis are taking big gambles, without any experience of running a country. Prachanda’s recent proclamations like ‘I am like Emperor Ashoka’ do not sound very promising.
May 26, 2008 at 11:41 am
Nepal can stop the Nepalese Gorkhas if they want, but it will be an irreversible decision. Frankly, being a soldier is more honourable than becoming security guards which most Nepalese are flooding abroad for.
May 26, 2008 at 1:39 pm
It will be the second biggest tragedy for Nepal after the palace massacre.
May 27, 2008 at 1:09 am
Jyoti di..agreed!!..Prachanda is kicking the stomache of a lot of employed people..for the sake of ??
May 27, 2008 at 8:19 am
Civil war begins in Nepal. Twin blasts in Kathmandu by Nepal Ranvir Sena determined to restore Nepal to Hindu state. 50,000 Mao cadres brought to capital Kathmandu durng the sweraing in ceremonies beginning today. Congress anti-Maovadi demonstrations. Dear Barun pl follow up with the news posts. Thanks, Jyotidi
May 27, 2008 at 8:36 am
Thank very much Jyotidi!
I am greatly worried though have lots of friends and family members in Nepal! Am checking out the news and emailing friends in KTM right now.
Regards
May 27, 2008 at 9:48 am
Dear Barun
It might not be as bad as it sounds but it is a beginning. Jyotidi
May 27, 2008 at 10:02 am
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/friday/orl-gurkha2308may23,0,2046827.story
Pl note in this article what a Gorkha soldier’s reasons for joining the army. It is quite diffrent from what others are forcibly trying to make him believe.
June 11, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I’ll be the happiest person on the fateful day!
June 11, 2008 at 2:00 pm
If at all a ban takes place, the Gorkhas will find ways to join. It is difficult to stop a tradition. It is a speculative and impractical idea and Prachand/Bhattarai are just testing the waters with their toes.