The government has not been able to establish communication with the Nepalis in Russian forces and rescuing them, despite multiple requests from them and their families back home. As per the latest information, over 14 Nepalis have so far died at the battlefields in Russia-Ukraine war that began in February 2022. At least 97 Nepalis have gone missing, 13 injured and are undergoing treatment in Russia while 88 have requested the government for their rescue. It is not clear as to how many are in the Russian army. Nepal government has claimed that about 200 Nepalis are serving the Russian Army, but other sources including the war returnees have disclosed that the number could hover around 2,000.

While the government has long been struggling to rescue Nepali youth from the war zone in Eastern Europe and bring them back home, a video featuring a plea from four Nepali youths in Russia to the Indian government for their rescue went viral some days ago. This video has further damaged the image of the country. The government has repeatedly failed in rescuing its citizens from various conflicts and crises such as in Lebanon, Israel, Qatar, Yemen, Russia and various countries in Africa. However, although the government has issued travel advisories for 'no-go' areas, many Nepalis reach there risking their lives to make good money.

No tangible progress

About 100 Indians are also said to have joined the Russian army, of whom two have died at the frontlines. About a couple of weeks ago, seven men from Punjab and Haryana pleaded to the Indian government for their rescue. Some of them had joined the Wagner Group to fight the Russian war. However, the government rescued the youth pleading for their rescue within a few days, and has said that it has been taking some 'immediate actions' for the rescue of of the remaining.

Although the newly-appointed Foreign Minister, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, broke the ice with the Russia through a telephone conversation with his counterpart Sargey Lavrov last week and requested for the rescue of the Nepalis pushed into the war, there has not been a tangible progress in this regard. Lavrov only promised to compensate the families of the dead, but promised nothing about sending back those fighting at the frontline. Seemingly, Russian is not happy with Nepal after the latter voted in favour of a resolution against Russia's military operation against Ukraine at the United Nations. Meanwhile, Nepal's southern neighbour maintained its relations with Russia in line with its 'national interest' which included bilateral cooperation and petroleum trade from which the former has benefitted significantly. India has always boasted its relations with Russia and never meddled in its affairs. But Nepal kept aside its much-cherished non-aligned principle and sided with Ukraine.

This is a reason why Russia is turning a deaf ear to Nepal's demand despite multiple efforts by the Foreign Ministry and Nepali mission in Moscow. However, one must not forget that Russia is in a desperate need of manpower to fight at the battlefield and is trying to lure youth from around the globe. It has continued with its favourable policy in facilitating the foreign nationals reaching Russia and joining its army. Moving a step further to this policy announced in 2022, Russia has recently decided to provide citizenship to the foreigners in a fast track method, exhibiting the importance of young foreigners for the country that has about zero population growth rate.

Meanwhile, youth in developing and least developed countries, like those in South Asia, are in a constant social pressure to earn a good amount of money but there are very less employment opportunities for both skilled and semi-skilled youths. As a result, millions of youth from the region have reached the Gulf countries and Malaysia, and elsewhere in search of job. They would risk their lives and reach war zones like in Afghanistan or Iraq or recently Russia if the job yielded a good amount of money. Even the literate youth have reached there via illegal channel by paying millions of rupees to the middlemen and human traffickers.

Lacklustre response

While it is heart-wrenching to witness the plight of Nepalis in the war-zones, it is equally frustrating that the educated and technology-literate youth leaving the country to fight in the brutal warfare far away from their home. It is the government's responsibility to save its citizens in and out of the country. But what about them who choose to invite their doom on their own and complain about the lacklustre response in their rescue after facing life-threatening situation? They have created a difficult situation for the country and government. The government had issued an advisory not to travel to war-affected countries. It's a paradox that Nepal voted against Russia but its youth are fighting for the cause of the same country.

Poor preparedness and communication system at the Nepali missions abroad was exposed when the Palestinian armed group HAMAS killed 10 Nepalis and abducted a group of foreigners including Nepali national Bipin Joshi. The Embassy of Nepal in Israel is also accredited to Syria but it was running with just three staff including the ambassador. Embassies abroad are on a tight budget and poor facilities but the governments through its various policies and annual budget never ceases to announce to mobilise the missions in economic diplomacy activities including the promotion of tourism, trade, foreign investment and development support. Since Nepalis are scattered over 160 countries – including those roiled by armed conflict and volatile situation, – the government has a Herculean task to keep the database on their whereabouts, travel, jobs and safety.

Published on: 21 March 2024 | The Rising Nepal