Nepal–UK Dialogue on Gurkha Issues; British Side Pledges Concrete Position by December
London: Representatives of the governments of Nepal and the United Kingdom have held discussions in London regarding the longstanding issues faced by retired Gurkha soldiers of the British Army.
During the meeting, attended by the G10 group of Gurkha veterans’ representatives, UK Veterans Minister Calvin Bailey said that his ministry was working seriously towards resolving the Gurkhas’ concerns. According to participants, he indicated that the British Government would set out a more concrete position on the matter by December.
Gurkha veterans have already warned the British Government that they will resume a hunger strike if no firm decision is made on their demands by December.
Dharma Bahadur Tamang, one of the negotiators selected to represent the Gurkha veterans, said that the newly appointed Veterans Minister’s remarks, choice of words and body language appeared more positive than those of his predecessors.
The discussion, held at the Embassy of Nepal in London, lasted approximately two hours. At the beginning of the meeting, Acting Ambassador of Nepal Bipin Duwadi outlined its purpose and stressed the need for a swift resolution to the Gurkha issues, which have remained unresolved for many years.
During the discussion, Minister Bailey expressed his sorrow and sympathy over the loss of lives and property caused by the recent flooding in Nepal. Alex Baker MP, Chair of the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nepal, also shared her views on the issues raised by the Gurkhas.
The Gurkha representatives stated that they had already formally presented their demands to the British Government and were now awaiting a clear response.
The Nepali delegation included Acting Ambassador Duwadi, Military Attaché Anup Shah and other embassy officials. The British side was represented by Minister Bailey and another official from his ministry.
Representing the Gurkha veterans were negotiators Major Jud Bahadur Gurung and Dharma Bahadur Tamang; Krishna Kumar Rai, Chairman of the Gurkha Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation (GESO); Krishna Bahadur Rai, Coordinator of the Gurkha Satyagraha; Major Tikendra Dal Dewan, Chairman of the British Gurkha Welfare Society; Kesh Bahadur Gurung, Chairman of BGNESA; Major Uday Bahadur Gurung; and campaigners Gyanraj Rai, Pushpa Rana Ghale and Dhan Bahadur Gurung.
A dinner was hosted at the Embassy of Nepal following the discussion. During the occasion, representatives of both the Nepali and British governments continued exchanging views on the matters raised concerning Gurkha veterans.
However, the Embassy of Nepal in the United Kingdom described the event as an informal meeting and discussion between Gurkha representatives, Veterans Minister Bailey and MP Baker, rather than as a formal round of negotiations.
