Nepal, UK Discuss Long-Standing Grievances of Gurkha Veterans

Kathmandu — Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal held a virtual meeting with UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones to discuss the long-standing grievances of British Gurkha soldiers.

The meeting focused mainly on issues raised by British Gurkha soldiers over the years, particularly their demand for proportional pensions. Foreign Minister Khanal highlighted the historic contribution and importance of Gurkha soldiers in Nepal-UK relations and stressed the need to address their grievances as soon as possible.

Khanal urged the British government to seek a solution to the issues concerning Gurkha soldiers from the perspectives of justice, fairness and respect. He said it was necessary to find a solution acceptable to both sides.

During the meeting, UK Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones expressed the British government’s commitment to working closely with the Nepali side to address the concerns of Gurkha veterans.

Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in the virtual meeting. From the British side, Member of Parliament Alex Baker, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nepal, and senior officials from the UK Ministry of Defence were present. Representatives of various Gurkha organizations based in the UK also attended the meeting.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Khanal had also held a virtual interaction with representatives of Gurkha veterans living in the UK. The meeting was coordinated and facilitated by Bipin Duwadi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Nepal in London.

The Government of Nepal has long been raising the pension and other rights-related issues of British Gurkha soldiers at the diplomatic level. The latest dialogue is being viewed as another important initiative toward resolving those issues.