Today marks 100 years since the signing of the 1923 Nepal-Britain Treaty at the Belayati Baithak, Singha Durbar. This treaty, which I came to learn about only very recently is believed to have played a significant role in recognising Nepal as a sovereign and independent nation by Britain, one of the biggest powers then. Furthermore, experts believe that the treaty was only possible after the Prime Minister of the time, Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, strategically started the conversations following the important role played by Gorkha soldiers in the first World War.
As I reflect on this important history and the role that the Gorkha/Gurkha soldiers have played, or have been made to play, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on Nepal-UK relations. Growing up as a son of a Gurkha, I have spent the past twenty-three years in the UK. I have also followed my father to his postings in Brunei in my early childhood and the British Gurkhas base in Pokhara. I believe there’s a lot of work ahead as we look forward to the next 100 years of Nepal-UK relations.
The UK Nepali community, diaspora, that I am privileged to be part of has grown exponentially following the settlement rights received by British Gurkhas in 2004 and 2009. As a blogger with strong network to many Nepali community and professional organisations, I am very pleased to see the first-generation Nepalis excelling in a range of sectors… we have icons such as Santosh Shah in the food world, the mountain man Nims Purja, rising professional footballers Asmita Ale, Kiban Rai, Bivesh Gurung to name a few, Olympic swimmer Gaurika Singh, the first Asian contestant in UK’s reality show Love Island Ruchee Gurung, actors Amita Suman, Amrita Acharia; and many more individuals who are introducing Nepal in their own ways. It’s impressive to see former Gurkhas take the leap in their civilian lives as they venture into UK politics, real estate, and hospitality! Today, many academics and historians in Nepal may be discussing the long 100 years of Nepal-UK treaty but I personally feel that our growing Nepali community in the UK is one that is much younger but one that is seeing a lot of change and progress in a short amount of time.
The deep admiration and respect towards the Gurkhas by the general British public is something to take note of. Our people to people relations have helped us repeatedly. The British public and the media’s overwhelming support to the Gurkha Justice campaign in the early 2000’s and right now has not gone unnoticed. Following the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the emergency appeal launched by the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) in the UK raised a massive £87 million, making it among the highest for an emergency appeal at that time. More recently, as part of the Covid Alliance for Nepal – UK, we were overwhelmed by the support we once again received from the British public and celebrities including Sir Michael Palin, explorer Ben Fogle, actress Joanna Lumley as we worked to call the UK government to urgently respond to the Covid19 crisis in Nepal.
Times have certainly changed since 1923, therefore we must do more to strengthen these ties, people to people and Government to Government. The friendship between our two countries is a historic one that has lasted generations but today, we are failing to pass on this rich history at all levels.
In my view, we have so much to still do in the world of arts, education, music and culture. This needs to continue bridging the two nations. While we do this, we must ensure that we make effort to make the spaces we create inclusive; have voices from people of diverse backgrounds, language, ethnicity and lived experience.
As first generation Nepalis in the UK, many of us have felt the pressure to represent Nepal whether that be through the angle of Gurkhas, mountains or religion and culture. We’ve also taken the pressure, individually and collectively as families to climb up the ladder in education, career, property ownership or blending in a British society. I have personally experienced this and observed it through Tracing Nepal, a company that I founded where NRN adults go on an experiential travel programme across Nepal. Despite growing integration in the UK, it may be a concern if future generations feel less trusting of UK due to growing awareness of ongoing Gurkha justice campaigns as well as other issues brought forward by Black, Muslim, LGBTQ+ and other minority groups in the UK.
Personally, I have gained a lot from growing up in the UK. Despite growing homophobia and transphobia, as a gay man I have learned that there is space for everyone. With the increasing amount of Nepalis from Nepal joining various professions in the UK, I hope that theirs is a journey where they are accepted and able to thrive. The past twelve months has also seen a growing number of students from Nepal choosing the UK as their place of study. It is very possible that many will go on to find and create careers, eventually basing themselves in the UK permanently. Nepal and the UK needs to think about this new group of professional Nepalis as they navigate between the two countries. With the recent announcement of the NRN Citizenship (Nagarita) by the Government of Nepal, it is very possible that the relations of the two countries will be shaped by the people who reside between the two countries. Can the two Governments work together to support a ‘Passing it forward’ programme so Nepal can receive expert skills and knowledge from Nepalis that have left?
The UK and Nepal need to recognise these new trends and make it easier for skills transfer between the two nations so we can create an innovative future together. Just like how I mentioned the exemplary people earlier on, I hope we have more trailblazers from UK-Nepal and the NRN community based in Nepal in the coming days.
I hope a lot happens in the coming 100 years for the Nepal-UK relations but in the next ten years, I would like to see the two nations enjoying better connectivity, growth in tourism and trade, arrival of more UK businesses in Nepal, increased support from the UK to help Nepal navigate the ongoing climate crisis, a successful outcome to the Gurkha justice campaigns, UK Nepalis in policy making roles, existing UK based charities missions and groups to work in Nepal with more nuance, respect and understanding, for life-changing volunteer programmes like the UK Governments International Citizens Programme (soon to be relaunched) to be a bigger partner of Nepal and finally, for the two nations, people and Governments – to recognise each other as true equals.
The photo was taken on Sunday, 17th December on the second day of the 1923 Nepal-UK Treaty Centenary Conference at the Yalamaya Kendra, Patan. The two day event was organised by the Madan Puraskar Pustakalay and Britain Nepal Academic Council. Pictured are H.E. Mr Rob Fenn (British Ambassador to Nepal), Sagar SJB Rana (writer and historian), Kanak Mani Dixit (Chair, MPP) and myself as we discussed ‘The Next 100 years’ as a panel.
Further Reading
Nepal-Britain Treaty of Friendship 1923 : An International Legal Perspective
