Nepal: Break Agniveer hiring deadlock, Gorkha veterans press Balen government

Nepal's Gorkha veterans are pushing Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to permit citizens to join the Indian Army through Agnipath, as calls intensify for the country to align with the controversial scheme. The deadlock over this matter has resurfaced as Indian Army chief General Dhiraj Seth prepares to attend an ex-servicemen rally in Pokhara, coinciding with his three-day visit to Nepal.

Hundreds of former Indian Army personnel, their families, and Gorkha aspirants marched in Pokhara, presenting a memorandum demanding Nepal's participation in the program to the Prime Minister and Home Minister Sudan Gurung.

Despite official reports of Seth's discussions with Nepal's Army chief, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, the Agnipath issue has remained unresolved. Colonel Krishna Bahadur Khatri, a retired officer, expressed frustration, stating that the policy has deprived Nepali youth of a career path that is seen as superior to low-paying overseas jobs.

Captain Rudra Thapa, another retired officer, emphasized that the ban has pushed young men into financially challenging positions in the Gulf region, instead of allowing them to earn more by serving in the Indian Army.

Under Agnipath, recruits serve four years, with the potential to transition to regular service after a 25% chance. Nepal previously rejected recruitment under this scheme, citing a difference between the four-year contractual model and the long-term service and pension benefits established by the 1947 tripartite agreement. Since then, no Gorkha nationals have been recruited into the Indian Army.