Will continue recruiting Gorkha soldiers under Indian Army's Agnipath recruitment scheme - MEA

New Delhi: The government, on Thursday, reiterated that the recruitment of Gorkha soldiers will continue under the Army's Agnipath recruitment scheme. During a weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that there will be no impact on the recruitment of Gorkha soldiers.

"We have been recruiting Gurkha soldiers to the Indian Army for a long time. We look forward to continuing to recruit Gurkha soldiers to the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme," Bagchi said. On June 14, the Centre announced the Agnipath scheme for the recruitment of soldiers in the Indian armed forces. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his announcement regarding the scheme said that the soldiers recruited under the initiative will be called Agniveers.

Massive protests took place after the announcement of the scheme as protestors took to streets and opposed the scheme. A pan-India recruitment scheme for all the three services, Agnipath provides an opportunity to youth between 17.5 and 23 years (for the first time due to COVID-19) to join the Indian armed forces. After the end of four years, 25 per cent of Agniveers will be absorbed in the armed forces as regulars.

While 75 per cent of Agniveers will not be absorbed in the forces, they will be given a Seva nidhi package of Rs 11-12 lakh as well as skill certificates to help them start their second careers.

In a separate issue, commenting on the possible visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the issue of Rohingyas, MEa spokesperson Bagchi said, "I don't have to say anything on that, I don't have an update on that. Regarding Rohingyas, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a detailed press release on it. At this point of time, we have nothing further to add."