Greater Noida: The changes in recruitment policy of the Is India Parting Ways with Its Legendary Gurkhas?by the government has led to Nepali Gurkhas disappointed who now do not have an option of serving in the Indian army as Nepal’s government has suspended that option for them following New Delhi’s decisions.
Gurkhas, known for their reputation of being one of the fiercest fighters in the whole world, have been serving in the Indian Army since years. Their contribution as they have aided India in significant wars like the Kargil War of 1999, have been widely commended.
In fact, Gurkhas presence in the Indian army dates back to the days when India had been colonized by the British back in the early 1800s. It was the East India Company that recruited them then and later the Indian government continued to do so.
If we talk of present, an estimated 32,000 Gurkhas serve in the Indian Army, and are part of seven Gurkha regiments. These regiments are constituted of both Nepali-domiciled and India-domiciled Gorkhas, with about 60% of each battalion being Nepali Gorkhas.
Of all the Gurkha regiments that the Indian army has, it is believed that the 8th Gorkha Rifles is one of the most celebrated regiments in the Indian Army. This regiment has served in many conflicts including the Sino-Indian War of 1962 and the two Indo-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971.
The Gurkhas have time and again proven their fearless military prowess. Many former generals have also lauded Gorkhas for their valour, including Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who once said, “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha.
Given this legacy of Gurkhas and their contribution up and running for the Indian forces, for decades now, defence experts believe the Indian government’s move of tweaking their policy that has irked Kathmandu may turn out to be a sour deal for the Gurkha aspirants. This not only would affect Indian army logistically or in terms of manpower but also may instil a feeling of alienation against Gurkha regiments.
However, Nepali Gurkhas are not the only foreigners whom the Indian army hires. The force also trains foreign military personnel from “friendly foreign countries” in the Gulf, the ASEAN, and Africa. The training includes basic infantry skills, seamanship, and operating advanced weapon systems.
While the citizens of Nepal and Bhutan can join the Indian Army, Tibetan refugees too can join the Indian Army if they intend to permanently settle in India and had come into this country before January 1, 1962.
Other than these, if we talk of China, they join the Indian Army if they had migrated from countries such as Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Vietnam.
But with the kind of recent policy changes that India has been inclined to resort to, keeping foreign military aspirants specially from Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet away from joining the Indian force can be seen in contrast with India’s ‘foreigners friendly’ policies. It is feared that if continued, this not only may affect India’s stance towards its friendly neighbours but also can distance the devotion and loyalty of the fierce Gurkhas that our country has been long utilising effectively.
