Kathmandu, June 4

British Gurkha veterans today said they were hopeful that the scheduled bilateral meeting between Nepal and the United Kingdom would dwell on their demands for justice and equality.

A press release issued by Gurkha Satyagraha United Struggle Committee stated that Prime Minister KP Sharma’s upcoming Europe visit had brought a ray of hope for them.

Oli is set to embark on an eight-day Europe visit from June 8. His trip will begin from Switzerland.

On June 11, Oli will hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May. The meeting will also adopt a declaration that will briefly overview 203 years of Nepal-UK bilateral relations on social, economic and political fronts.

“We request Nepal and the UK to incorporate the issue of British Gurkha in their meeting. Discrimination faced by British Gurkhas for the past 204 years has been disappointing to both the countries and their people.

It has hurt our self-respect. Discrimination to British Gurkhas should be ended to take the relationship between Nepal and the UK to a newer height,” read the press release.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the bilateral meeting, the two sides will discuss issues related to British Gurkha veterans.

The Gurkhas have been agitating for the past few months, demanding equal pay,  pension and other facilities provided to British nationals.