India, Sept. 16 -- Nepal's ex-servicemen have made a remarkable turnaround, moving from opposition to Agniveer to demanding its acceptance on Indian terms. At a moment when Kathmandu faces unemployment, disaster and growing strategic uncertainty, India has a rare opening to revive the Gorkha recruitment relationship. Yet diplomacy appears to have missed the moment

Nepal was recently afflicted by tragic and catastrophic climate events: the 2015 earthquake, the 2023 Jajarkot earthquake, and now the glacial outbursts triggering the Rasuwa flash floods. A man-made disaster obliterated Kathmandu's iconic buildings and institutions during the 72-hour Gen Z movement in September 2025. The Rasuwa/Trishuli tragedy of 26 August did not prevent NDT...