As many as 115 people have petitioned the government for the rescue of their relatives currently serving in the Russian army, Foreign Minister NP Saud said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a function in Kanchanpur on Tuesday, Minister Saud said that the families of those who have reached Russia and joined the army have knocked on the doors of the Department of Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their rescue, he said.

As of now, according to the foreign ministry, ten Nepali youths who voluntarily joined the Russian army have been killed. At least 200 Nepali youths are estimated to be currently serving in the Russian army, which recruited them to fight the Ukrainians.

After a number of Nepali nationals were reported dead while fighting for Russia, the foreign ministry sent two diplomatic notes to the Russian government seeking repartition of its nationals and urging Moscow to stop recruiting Nepalis in its fighting forces.

The foreign minister has also twice invited Russian Ambassador to Nepal Alexei Novikov at his office and raised the concern. “We have a cordial friendship lasting decades. But you did not discuss with us before recruiting our nationals,” Saud reportedly told the Russian ambassador. Saud also reiterated his call for repartition of the Nepali nationals in the Russian army and stopping the recruitment of Nepali nationals to aid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Until now, petitions from families for the rescue of the 115 people have been filed at the consular department,” he said. “The Russian government has said that 10 people have died so far. We have asked them to repatriate those recruited in their army and send the bodies back to their families so that their final rites can be performed.”

After failing to stop Nepalis from going to both Russia and Ukraine to join their armies, the government recently decided not to issue employment permits for the two countries. Nepali nationals are now allowed to serve in foreign armies except in India and the United Kingdom. But that hasn’t stopped Nepali youths from enrolling individually in the militaries of several other countries.

With the help of human traffickers, many Nepalis have reached Russia on student and tourist visas and joined its fighting force. In May, Russia opened the way for its army to recruit foreign nationals, with a decree by President Vladimir Putin.

According to an internal report Nepal’s Embassy in Moscow sent to the ministry in Kathmandu, there has been a surge in the number of Nepalis working in Russia. Many of them have reportedly joined the armed forces following the presidential decree.
Saud made it clear that the government has no policy of sending people to Russia—for any work or to be recruited in the army.

On the release of Bipin Joshi, who is still believed to be in the captivity of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Saud said the government has reached out to several countries including Qatar and other organisations for his safe release.

Qatar has pledged to take concrete steps for the release of Joshi, a Kanchanpur local held hostage by the Gaza-based Hamas. Foreign Minister Saud met with Qatari officials recently and asked them to help secure Joshi’s release.

The condition of Joshi, who was captured by the Hamas group from Israel on October 7, 2023, remains unknown.

The government is reaching out to the international community for his release. It has been three months since he was detained. Along with Israel, the government is also in communication with Qatar and Egypt for the purpose.

Saud said the release of Bipin Joshi has been discussed repeatedly with the Qatar government.

Saud said he has got pledges from Qatari officials that Joshi will be released when there is another ceasefire. During the ceasefire in November last year, Hamas freed around 100 hostages.

Published on: 10 January 2024 | The Kathmandu Post