Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud on Tuesday said the government is making diplomatic efforts to repatriate Nepalis serving in the Russian army.

“The government is in constant communication with the Russian government, requesting it to allow Nepalis to return home. We have been also asking Russia to repatriate the dead bodies,” Saud said during an interaction with the kin of Nepalis serving in the Russian force.

Foreign Minister Saud said the government has an obligation towards the Nepalis joining the Russian army, even though they went there illegally.

“The state has a responsibility towards them regardless of how they joined the foreign army. I have been making honest efforts to repatriate them and will continue with it,” he said.

Minister Saud said that the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepali Embassy in Moscow are making every possible effort to ensure the safe return of the recruits, ensure treatment and rescue of the injured and repatriate dead bodies.

Saud also said the government has received a positive response from the Russian side on some of the issues it raised regarding Nepalis, the issue of providing compensation to the injured and the kin of the dead.

As many as 224 people have registered complaints seeking the safe return of their family members serving in the Russian army, said Minister Saud.

According to official records, a total of 14 Nepali nationals have died in the war so far. However, officials and individuals still serving in the Russian army or those who managed to escape fighting have claimed that the number of Nepali casualties could be much higher than reported.

Nepal has formally requested Russia not to recruit Nepali nationals into its military, and if any have been recruited, to repatriate them. Also, the government asked Russia to repatriate the bodies of Nepalis killed in the war and promptly provide compensation to the bereaved families.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent two back-to-back diplomatic notes to Moscow seeking details on the status of the Nepali nationals serving in the Russian force, including those killed and wounded.

The government has imposed a ban on travel to Russia and Ukraine, except for official purposes.

Published on: 28 February 2024 | The Kathmandu Post