Nepal objects to recruitment of its citizens in Russian Army, demands Moscow to send them back home

Nepal said it has asked Moscow not to recruit its citizens into the Russian army and to help repatriate those who have already joined the country’s army to fight the war in Ukraine. Nepalese soldiers, called Gurkhas, are known for their bravery and fighting skills, and have been serving the British and Indian armies since India’s independence under an agreement between the three countries in 1947. At least 200 Nepali youth have joined the Russian army through illegal channels and 12 of them have already lost their lives while fighting against Ukraine.

Millions of Nepali citizens are employed in civilian jobs, mainly as laborers in industries and construction sites in South Korea, Malaysia and the Middle East. Nepali Foreign Minister N.P. Saudi Arabia, during his meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vershinin Sergei Vasilievich on Friday on the sidelines of the ongoing Non-Aligned Summit in Kampala, Uganda, told Russia to “not recruit Nepali citizens into the country’s army and those who are already doing so.” Help bring them back.” According to Saud’s private secretariat, joined the army. Saud clarified that “Nepal has no policy of sending its citizens to foreign troops except in a few countries with which it has traditional arrangements.

Therefore, I have asked the Russian minister not to recruit our citizens into his army,” Saud was quoted as saying by his personal secretariat. According to the Saudi secretariat, during the meeting the two leaders also discussed various aspects of bilateral relations between Nepal and Russia. On this occasion, Saud mentioned the long historical relations that exist between Nepal and Russia. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister stressed the need to advance bilateral relations, stressing that relations between the two countries are built on a strong foundation.