London, June 12, 2025 – A technical-level meeting was convened today at the Nepali Embassy in London, bringing together officials from the Embassy of Nepal, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), and representatives of ex-Gurkhasto discuss the long-standing grievances of former Gurkha soldiers, with a particular focus on pension equality.

The meeting was conducted in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, reflecting a shared commitment to finding a resolution to the decades-old dispute. Both sides agreed to hold a joint follow-up meeting by mutual consent to continue the dialogue.

Representing Nepal were Mr. Bipin Duwadi, Deputy Head of Mission, and Major General Anup Shah, Military Attaché. From the ex-Gurkha community, nine representatives of the G-10 group were present, advocating on behalf of thousands of veterans. Officials from the UK Ministry of Defence attended on behalf of the British Government.

The core issue under discussion was the unequal pension treatment faced by Gurkha veterans who served in the British Army before 1997. These veterans are paid under the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS), which was historically based on Indian Army pay rates, resulting in substantially lower pensions compared to their British counterparts.

Gurkha veterans have long argued that this disparity constitutes historical discrimination based on nationality and service location. They are demanding parity with British veterans, highlighting the sacrifices made by Gurkhas in numerous conflicts under the British flag.

The meeting marks a significant step forward in ongoing efforts to address this critical issue, and stakeholders expressed cautious optimism about future progress through continued diplomatic engagement.