Gen Dwivedi in Nepal next week: Will Gorkhas be recruited into Indian Army again?

Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi will embark on a four-day official visit to Nepal beginning November 20 to explore ways to further boost the already strong defence ties between the two countries. The upcoming visit is also being looked at as an opportunity to negotiate with Nepal to resolve the Nepali Gorkhas’ recruitment into the Indian Army, as Kathmandu has decided not to send their natives to be a part of the Indian Army since the start of the Agnipath scheme in 2022.
There is a shortage of over 12,000 Nepali Gorkhas in the Indian Army, especially the traditional Gorkha regiments. There have been initiatives from India to convince Nepal to send its Gorkha aspirants to become Agniveers, but no breakthrough so far.
In the Agnipath scheme, personnel, known as Agniveers, are recruited to the Army, Navy and the Air Force on a short-term contract of four years. Of the total annual recruits, only 25 per cent are allowed to continue under a permanent commission.
General Dwivedi’s upcoming visit to Nepal has rekindled hope in the stalled Nepali Gorkhas’ recruitment issue.
“Gorkha soldiers constitute a very important component of the Indian Army. They have been continuing with the Indian Army since Independence. In fact, they were part of the British Army prior to our Independence. There were approximately 10 Gorkha regiments in the British Army at the time of independence. An agreement was signed to have five regiments each with the British Army and Indian Army,” Centre For Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) chairman Major General Ashok Kumar (retired) told India Today TV.
“The main point of the agreement was to offer the same terms and conditions to Gorkhas from Nepal as applicable to the Indian citizens. This has been followed by the Indian government since Independence with full commitment. The Gorkha soldiers have fought as part of Indian Army making the highest degree of sacrifice in all the wars as well as during counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations in the Valley,” he added.
Major General Kumar said the launch of the Agnipath scheme was absolutely a new approach to the recruitment of soldiers and the initiative was introduced as per operational necessity.
“The Nepali Gorkhas have also been offered similar terms and conditions as applicable to the Indian citizens. The Nepal government has not allowed its citizens to participate in the recruitment process as per the Agnipath scheme. A deadlock continues to date despite attempts made to resolve the issue,” he said.
Given the charismatic leadership of General Dwivedi, there may be some breakthrough in the issue. As India is making efforts to absorb the non-retained Agniveers in various jobs, a similar effort by the Nepali government may offer some hope of resolution.
“India and Nepal have the best relationship, but the same is being subverted by China. It is therefore essential that a higher degree of statesmanship is displayed to bring back the Gorkha soldiers into the fold of the Indian Army,” Major General Kumar said.
India and Nepal enjoy a unique relationship rooted in cultural, historical, and geographical bonds. The bilateral ties have evolved into a strong military partnership that plays a crucial role in promoting regional security and stability.
General Dwivedi’s visit is also expected to focus on ongoing defence modernisation efforts in both countries, facilitated through various joint initiatives.
Over 300 Nepali Army personnel have received training in India this year in areas such as counterinsurgency, leadership development, and peacekeeping. Likewise, Indian Army personnel also benefit from training programmes in Nepal.
A cornerstone of India-Nepal military cooperation is the annual Surya Kiran joint military exercise, designed to enhance interoperability between the two armed forces. This exercise, which focusses on counterterrorism, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, will hold its 18th edition in Nepal next month. The upcoming exercise aims to expand its scope and complexity, further improving the operational synergy between the two militaries.
India has also played a supportive role in Nepal’s defence modernisation by supplying various military equipment, such as small arms, vehicles and advanced training simulators. The Nepal-India Bilateral Consultative Group on Security Issues (NIBCGSI) has convened 15 times to discuss defence cooperation, resulting in the fulfilment of several equipment requirements.
General Dwivedi’s visit will provide an opportunity to deepen these engagements and discuss enhancing disaster response mechanisms and expanding regional security initiatives.
A unique aspect of the India-Nepal military relationship is the tradition of conferring honorary ranks of General on each other’s Chiefs of Army Staff, symbolising mutual respect and shared military heritage. General Dwivedi’s visit is anticipated to reinforce this symbolic bond and reaffirm the two countries’ shared military legacy.
The presence of a large community of Indian ex-servicemen in Nepal also strengthens bilateral ties. With over 88,000 Indian Army veterans residing in Nepal, many contribute significantly to sectors such as education, healthcare and rural development, thereby enhancing people-to-people connections.
During his visit, General Dwivedi is also likely to visit the revered Muktinath Temple. This visit holds sentimental value, as the first Chief of Defence Staff of India, General Bipin Rawat, had expressed a desire to visit the temple before he died in 2021. In his honour, a bell named ‘Bipin Bell’ was installed at the temple in February last year.