Nepal, UK discuss ex-Gurkha pension, perks in London

By Karun Aryal, London, Nov. 24: Ministerial discussions between the Government of Nepal and the United Kingdom on addressing crucial matters such as the pension and benefits for ex-Gurkhas took place at the British Ministry of Defense on Wednesday. 

This marks the third session of the bilateral committee established to handle the demands of former Gurkha soldiers. The Nepali Embassy in London reported that the meeting evaluated progress on pension and welfare facilities, drawing on previous committee sessions and technical-level discussions.

Following the presentation of responses to most of the issues raised by the ex-Gurkhas from the British Ministry of Defense, Nepal’s Ambassador to the UK, Gyan Chandra Acharya, and retired Major Juddha Bahadur Gurung responded with arguments on those matters, informed the embassy. 

Acknowledging the historical ties between Nepal and Britain, Ambassador Acharya urged British authorities to seek a lasting solution to the foundational demands of the ex-Gurkhas. Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, Head of the Europe and America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Nepal, emphasised Nepal’s commitment to addressing the demands.

Deputy Head of the Nepali Embassy, Roshan Khanal, revealed that unresolved issues requiring further study would be discussed in the next meeting. She also informed that the British side had committed to scheduling the next round of talks following their internal deliberations.

Krishna Bahadur Rai, representing the ex-Gurkha and serving as the chief coordinator of the Gurkha Satyagraha Struggle Committee, said that UK’s response to welfare and other concerns raised by the Gurkhas was positive. 

He also said that they have agreed to delve into pension and other issues in the upcoming meeting. Stressing the importance of negotiations and dispelling any notion of agitation as long as talks persist, Rai said that availability of the pension facility is the bottom line of their struggle. 

Minister of State for Defense of the UK, Andrew Morrison, led the British delegation to the meeting while Ambassador Acharya represented the Government of Nepal and Major Gurung the ex-Gurkhas.