Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that discussions were ongoing with the Russian government to repatriate Nepalis serving in the Russian military.
Speaking to journalists upon his arrival from Iran at the Tribhuvan International Airport on Tuesday, Shrestha said he raised the issue during a meeting with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister. “Earlier, also I had a telephonic conversation with the Russian foreign minister. Our ambassador in Russia is raising the matter with the Russian government,” Shrestha said.
Shrestha participated in the 19th Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), an intergovernmental organization of 35 Asian countries, in Tehran.
“After receiving information that Russia has sent Nepalis to the war front, we are in continuous dialogue with the government there. We have sought information on the number of Nepalis currently serving in the Russian army and their condition,” Shrestha said. “Russian authorities have agreed in principle to return Nepali youths. We need more homework to finalize the modality.”
He also said Nepal has requested Russian authorities to repatriate bodies of Nepalis, who lost their lives while serving in the Russian Army, to perform last rites in Nepal, and provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased.
Shrestha said that the foreign ministry has received information that six Nepalis are currently in the custody of the Ukrainian Army. “We have requested them to release them respectfully as prisoners of war,” Shrestha added
