Gurkha veterans threaten renewed hunger strike after pension talks

Gurkha veterans and their supporters gathered at Whitehall ahead of talks at the MoD

Former Gurkha soldiers have threatened to resume hunger strikes in a long-running dispute with the British government over their pension rights.

Soldiers who retired before 1997 receive a fraction of the pension of their British Army counterparts.

Following a meeting at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), they accused officials of hiding behind the law to deny paying them more.

The Ministry of Defence said there had been "highly constructive engagement".

A group of Gurkhas had refused food for 13 days in 2021 as they called for parity with other British Army veterans.

The Gurkha Equal Rights group halted that hunger strike after both the British and Nepali governments agreed to talks.

Gurkhas who retired before 1997 currently receive a fraction of the pension the rest of the British Army receive because the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) was based on Indian Army rates.

Gyanraj Rai from Reading was part of the veterans' delegation

Gurkha veteran Gyanraj Rai from Reading said he was "so angry" following the latest round of talks at the MoD.

Having taken part in previous hunger strikes he said there would "definitely" be another without meaningful talks.

"They kept diverting the issue. They listened but did not understand. They were answering without logic and proof.

"It's not only the Gurkhas' problem, it's a national issue of Nepal," he added.

The MoD said: "The UK Government takes its responsibilities to our veterans very seriously.

"We warmly welcome the highly constructive engagement we have had through the UK/Nepali Bilateral Committee and remain committed to supporting them and their families during and post service."

Gurkhas have served as part of the British Army for more than 200 years.

The Nepalese soldiers fought in two world wars and in the past 50 years in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.