Following the revelation that six people serving in Russia’s military had been killed, Nepal has asked Russia not to recruit its citizens to the Russian army and to promptly return any Nepali soldiers commissioned there to the Himalayan nation.
Nepali warriors, known as Gurkhas, are recognized for their bravery and combat skills and have served in the British and Indian armies since India’s independence in 1947, according to an agreement between the three countries.
The little Himalayan country, sandwiched between India and China, does not have such a pact with Russia, which invaded neighboring Ukraine in February 2022 and has been at war with it since.
The Nepalese government claimed in a statement that six of its nationals who were serving in the Russian army were killed, but provided no other details.
Late Monday, the foreign ministry stated, “The government of Nepal has requested that the Russian government immediately return their bodies and pay compensation to their families”.
“Diplomatic attempts were being made to free one Nepali national who had been detained by Ukraine while serving in the Russian army”, the statement continued.
Nepal has also encouraged its nationals not to join the armies of any war-torn country.
Milan Raj Tuladhar, Nepal’s ambassador in Moscow, stated that 150-200 Nepalis are operating as mercenaries in the Russian army.
Millions of Nepali nationals work as laborers in South Korea, Malaysia, and the Middle East.
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