Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha convened a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 2024 Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier geopolitical conference held annually in New Delhi.
The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, underscored Nepal’s urgent appeal for the release of seven Nepali nationals detained as prisoners of war (POWs) by Ukrainian forces, alongside discussions on bilateral cooperation and multilateral collaboration.
Minister Rana formally requested the Ukrainian government’s assistance in securing the swift release of seven Nepali citizens reportedly captured by Ukrainian troops during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. She emphasized that these individuals were victims of human trafficking networks operating in Nepal’s remote regions, which illegally recruited them into the Russian Army—a direct violation of Nepal’s longstanding policy prohibiting citizens from joining foreign militaries. Violators face penalties under Nepal’s Foreign Employment Act, including fines and imprisonment.
“These young men were deceived by traffickers exploiting economic vulnerabilities. Nepal is committed to addressing this issue diplomatically and legally,” stated Rana, highlighting that the government is coordinating with international agencies to dismantle such trafficking rings. While Nepal maintains neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Rana stressed the humanitarian aspect of the detainees’ plight, noting their involuntary participation in the war.
In response, Foreign Minister Sibiha affirmed Ukraine’s adherence to international protocols governing POWs, including the Geneva Conventions, and pledged to expedite legal reviews to facilitate their release. “Ukraine respects humanitarian principles and will ensure due process is followed,” Sibiha stated, though he did not specify a timeline.
Additionally, Nepal sought Ukraine’s endorsement for its candidacy to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2027–2029 term. A member twice before (2009–2012, 2018–2020), Nepal positions itself as a advocate for global human rights, particularly for landlocked and least-developed nations. Sibiha expressed Ukraine’s willingness to consider the request, signaling potential alignment in multilateral forums.
The Raisina Dialogue, hosted by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, provided a strategic backdrop for the meeting, reflecting Nepal’s proactive diplomacy amid global conflicts. The detained Nepalis’ case sheds light on broader challenges of illegal recruitment and trafficking, with reports suggesting hundreds of South Asian migrants have been similarly coerced into joining foreign militaries.
