Context:

Foreign Minister of Nepal Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said the 1947 agreement among India, Nepal and the United Kingdom that deals with the military service of Gorkha soldiers has become “redundant”.

Background:

• The 1947 agreement divided the Gorkha regiments of the British empire between India and the United Kingdom.
• It also assured that the Gorkha soldiers of Nepal while serving in the British military will draw perks and privileges equivalent to their counterparts.
• However, Gorkha veterans have been alleging that the U.K. has been discriminating against them.

Britain–India–Nepal Tripartite Agreement:

• The Tripartite Agreement between the United Kingdom, India and Nepal was a treaty signed in 1947 concerning the rights of Gurkhas in military service.
• The main points of the agreement are:
  • The Gurkha soldier must be recruited as a Nepali citizen, must serve as a Nepali citizen, and must be resettled as a Nepali citizen.
  • All religious and cultural observances must be preserved in accordance with the demands of the Hindu faith.
  • Gurkha soldiers in both the Indian and British Armies should receive the same basic rates of pay, although allowances may be paid to reflect differences in the costs of living between countries where Gurkha soldiers might serve outside Nepal.
  • Subject to satisfactory performance and conduct, all soldiers should be allowed to serve for sufficient time in order to qualify for a pension.
  • All Gurkha soldiers should be allowed an extended period of leave in Nepal every three years.
  • Gurkha soldiers recruited into the respective armies are liable for service worldwide.
  • Gurkhas are fully integrated into the Army to which they are recruited and under no circumstances are they to be considered mercenaries.

Reference:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/1947-pact-on-gorkha-soldiers-redundant-says-nepal-minister/article32243320.ece

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