For over two centuries, the Gorkha Regiment has epitomised bravery and loyalty, its soldiers serving in the armies of India, Nepal, and the UK.
However, the Indian Army’s historic reliance on Nepali Gorkhas faces an existential crisis as Nepal ceases to permit its citizens to join Indian ranks.
Since 2019, not a single Nepali Gorkha has been recruited into the Indian Army, a result of Nepal’s opposition to India’s Agnipath recruitment scheme.
As a result, the number of active Nepali Gorkhas is steadily dwindling, threatening to erase their presence in the Gorkha regiments within a decade.
Military analysts estimate that the regiments, with over 43 battalions, currently see a reduction of 150 to 200 Nepali Gorkhas per year.
Recruitment efforts have shifted to Indian Gorkhas from Uttarakhand’s Kumaon and Garhwal regions.
While these recruits bring their own valour, they do not fill the symbolic void left by Nepali Gorkhas, whose unique legacy spans over 200 years.
Nepal’s decision stems from its displeasure with Agnipath, which limits recruits to four-year tenures, a stark departure from traditional military terms.
The refusal to host Indian recruitment rallies has exacerbated the issue.
Meanwhile, the UK, which maintains the Royal Gurkha Rifles, seeks to expand its recruitment of Nepali Gorkhas.
Reports suggest that China, fostering closer ties with Nepal, may also seek to integrate Nepali Gorkhas into its military. If realised, such a move could pose strategic challenges to India in the region.
Historically, Nepali Gorkhas constituted 90 per cent of the Indian Army’s Gorkha regiments pre-independence.
Today, the ratio stands at 60 per cent Nepali Gorkhas and 40 per cent Indian Gorkhas. This shift is likely to accelerate as retirements outpace new enlistments from Nepal.
Amidst these challenges, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s forthcoming visit to Nepal has gained significance.
While expectations of a diplomatic breakthrough are tempered, his visit may lay the groundwork for renewed negotiations over Gorkha recruitment.
"If a man says he’s not afraid of dying, he’s either lying or he’s a Gorkha.”
This iconic quote by Sam Manekshaw, the Indian Army’s first Field Marshal, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Gorkhas.
Renowned for their fearlessness and unwavering loyalty, the Gorkhas are not just soldiers but legendary warriors whose valour is unparalleled.
In the Indian Army, they are revered as some of its most formidable and dependable fighters—a reputation that any military professional would acknowledge without hesitation.
The transformation of the Gorkha regiments—long a symbol of Indo-Nepalese ties—is both a diplomatic and operational challenge for India’s armed forces, raising questions about the regiments’ future composition and strategic value.
Follow us
