KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala today said that the government was ready to take necessary steps to meet the demands presented by ex-Gurkha servicemen.

Addressing a programme organised by the United British-Gurkha Ex-Servicemen’s Association here today, DPM Koirala said that her party - Nepali Congress - was positive about providing dual citizenship to ex-Gurkha servicemen.

“Ministry of Foreign Affairs is well informed about demands and problems of ex-Gurkha servicemen. We are working through diplomatic channels to meet their demands,” she said.

Likewise, the association demands an immediate ‘diplomatic dialogue’ with the UK government as per the tripartite agreement that was signed back in 1947. The ex-Gurkhas also urged the political parties to present ‘short notice motion’ at the parliament regarding their demands and persuade the British government to fulfil them. On the occasion, the association welcomed the decision taken by the government concerning their demands.

The government on November had sent a letter to the British government requesting the latter to meet the demands put forth by the Ex-Gurkhas. Earlier, the British-Gurkha Ex-Servicemen’s association had submitted a memorandum to President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and the political parties representing the Constituent Assembly.