Nepal has asked Moscow not to enlist Nepalese citizens into the Russian army. Additionally, Nepal seeks assistance in repatriating those individuals who have already joined the Russian forces to partake in the conflict in Ukraine. At least 200 Nepalese youths have joined the Russian Army through illegal channels and 12 of them have already lost their lives while fighting against Ukraine.

Gurkhas, the Nepali soldiers renowned for their courage and combat proficiency, have been serving the British and Indian armies since the independence of India in 1947, as per a mutual agreement among the three nations. The small Himalayan nation, wedged between China and India, has no such agreement with Russia, which invaded neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022 and has been engaged in a war since.

Nepalese Foreign Minister N.P. Saud, during his meeting with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Vershinin Sergey Vasilievich on Friday at the sidelines of the ongoing Non-Aligned Summit in Kampala, Uganda, asked Russia “not to recruit Nepalese nationals into the country's Army and to help repatriate those who have already joined the forces", according to the private secretariat of Saud.

Saud clarified that “Nepal has no policy to send its nationals to foreign army except those few countries with which it has traditional arrangements”.

“Therefore, I have asked the Russian minister not to recruit our nationals into its army,” Saud was quoted as saying by his personal secretariat.

The government of Nepal issued a statement confirming the deaths of six of its citizens who had been serving in the Russian army, but no specific details were provided.

"The government of Nepal has requested the Russian government to immediately return their bodies and pay compensation to their families," the foreign ministry said late on Monday.

The Russian side has informed Saud that necessary arrangements will be made to provide compensation to the family of the deceased as per Russian law.

Diplomatic initiatives are in progress to secure the release of a Nepali citizen who serves in the Russian army and has been captured by Ukraine, as stated in the announcement. Additionally, Nepal has appealed to its citizens, urging them not to enlist in the military of any nation engaged in conflict.

“During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed various aspects of bilateral relations between Nepal and Russia,” according to Saud’s secretariat.

Saud on the occasion mentioned the long historical relations existing between Nepal and Russia.

The Russian deputy foreign minister emphasized the importance of advancing bilateral relations, highlighting that the ties between the two countries are grounded in a robust foundation.

Image source: Reuters