PLA ploy in Nepal may come a cropper

Nepalese maoist leadership move to stop enlisting Gurkhas in Indian Army point to China’s dragon net cast wide to tighten its stranglehold

Rahul Pawa

Earliest reference to Gurkhas can be found in Hindu epic treatise, the Mahabharata. This poem tells the tale of Bhima, one of the heroes, and his encounter with Kichaka, a fierce warrior who was the chief of Kiratas tribe.

This tribe inhabited present-day Himalayan region of Nepal and Kichaka was known for his strength and ferocity in battle. Bhim found it challenging to defeat him but he eventually emerged victorious and spared Kichaka\’s life, accepting him as his ally.

This encounter is believed to be the first mention of the tribe that later became popular as \’Gurkhas.\’  Known for their bravery and martial prowess, the term \’Gurkha\’ is derived from Gorkha district, part of Gandaki province in western Nepal. The region was ancestral home to Shah dynasty that was founded in 1559 by King Dravya Shah, a descendant of Rajput warriors from northern India.

Gurkhas as we know them today came to limelight late 18th and early 19th centuries when they were recruited in British East India Company and later the British Indian Army. It is unclear who precisely coined the term \’Gurkha,\’ but believed to have been popularised by the British during the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16. The term was used to refer to soldiers from the Gorkha district and surrounding regions that were recruited into the British Indian Army. Since then, Gorkhas became synonymous with Nepalese soldiers known for their fighting skills and reputation for bravery, who continued to serve both British and Indian armies.

Recently, rumours were rife on Chinese Communist Party\’s (CPC) plans to recruit Gorkhas into People\’s Liberation Army (PLA). This renewed concerns over CPC’s influence over Nepalese Prime Minister and maoist ideologue Pushpa Kamal Dahal a.k.a Prachanda and his Communist -dominated Nepalese government.

In the elections held on November 20 last year, Prachanda \’s Maoist Centre secured third largest number of seats with 32 in the 275- member House of Representatives. Prachanda was sworn in as Nepal\’s Prime Minister on 130th birth anniversary of Mao Zedong, who was a significant ideological influence on Prachanda.

As per a report by EPardafas, CPC activities in Nepal spread far and wide after Dahal-led government took reins of the Himalayan Kingdom. CPC\’s attempts to influence Nepal\’s politics through targeted information operation appear to be a page from Chinese communist\’s larger strategy book to whip up anti-India sentiment in the country.

CPC strategy seems to be consistent with Mao Zedong\’s historical \”Five Fingers of Tibet\” policy that was first articulated in his speeches during 1940s. The clandestine formulation was to \”liberate\” Sikkim, Bhutan, Ladakh, and the NEFA from what Mao perceived as \”Indian imperialism.\”

On the contrary, CPC\’s expansionist agenda seem to have led to providing financial assistance in order to advance their neatly designed work programme among Nepal\’s 30 million habitants.

Over the years, CPC floated or supported several think-tanks in Nepal through Chinese Study Centre (CSC) at Katmandu established in 2009. Thirty two  such study centres came into being as part of larger design to set up one centre each in the country’s77 districts. These centres played a key role to provide ground research to push CPC aspirations in Nepal.  In addition to teaching Mandarin, these centres researched in different subjects with funding support from China. One subject study was aimed at assessing young Nepali – Gurkhas interest and motivation to joini Indian Army. The study was also to evaluate financial expectations of Nepali youngsters from their stints in Indian Army.

This provides perfect backdrop to Nepalese communist leadership request to their Indian counterparts for putting on hold Gurkhas recruitment. This request not only flummoxed the Indian army recruiters but also Nepali youngsters that showed keen interest the new Agnipath scheme. The maoist government justified its stand with the contention that Nepalese lawmakers were yet to discuss the ‘Agnipath’ recruitment issue. This request from Nepal government also provides a window of opportunity to CPC for enlisting Gurkha warriors into PLA. Big question therefore is if the Maoist led Nepalese government turning its youth as “force on hire” for PLA.

For most Gurkhas serving as soldiers in the Indian army, it is not just about money, schemes for Nepalese people or the decades-old tripartite agreement. It is about a shared unique closeness and oneness of tradition and faith. Shared history, mutual respect and an inalienable link unite Nepal and India.  This bond of combat brotherhood is maintained by the Gurkha troops who serve between the two nations.  Nepal and India have had shared more than just this idea for thousands of years.

Soldiers of Nepalese and Indian ancestry have formed a common relationship as Gurkhas and brotherhood that bonds them. Nepal and India relations go beyond contemporary disputes and conflicts with both countries sharing a distinctive tradition of anointing each other\’s Chiefs of Army Staff as Honorary Generals.

The Gurkha hat and Khukuri are not just symbols of courage and bravery but represent the brotherly relationship and cultural affinities shared by both nations. They won several gallantry awards together including the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra for their bravery and sacrifice.

Indian Army and CPC\’s PLA contrast hence becomes significant. In particular, PLA\’s differential treatment of their own people and that of neighbours come to the fore.

CPC occupation of Nepali land, attempt to sow discord within Nepal and luring the country into a debt trap have become points of larger public discourse. CPC\’s actions in Nepal and its disregard for universal human rights and freedoms make it an unlikely recruiter for the proud Gurkhas.

Nepalese people and Gurkhas will have to remain vigilant against attempts by foreign powers to interfere in its internal affairs. Decisions on Gurkhas recruitment must be made in the best interests of the Nepalese people and not influenced by external pressures or agendas. Gurkhas have served both Nepal and India with distinction for many years and it signifies the two countries unity and shared history that is valued, protected and respected.

While Gurkha soldiers have to take a call on where to serve, it seems highly unlikely that joining PLA ranks as against Indian Army would be their first choice. Gurkhas\’ service in the Indian Army is a testament to enduring friendship between India and Nepal that will continue to flourish and grow in years to come.

(author is Research Director at CIHS)