The Indian Army has a long tradition of recruiting soldiers from diverse backgrounds, with many recruits hailing from neighboring nations. The recruitment process is highly selective, and while some countries have citizens serving in the Indian Army, others are excluded due to political and security concerns. Here’s a breakdown of which nations permit their citizens to join the Indian Army and which ones do not.

Which countries have citizens who can join the Indian Army?

Nepal:

The Nepali citizens, Gorkhas in particular, have a long history of serving in the Indian Army, and their services started right back during British colonial times. The Indian Army still recruits Gorkhas and has four dedicated Gorkha regiments. However, the number of recruitment from Nepal has declined over the years, but Gorkhas continue to remain an integral part of the Indian military.

Bhutan:

Under a special recruitment scheme, citizens of Bhutan are eligible to join the Indian Army. This reflects the strong and cooperative relationship between India and Bhutan not only in the socioeconomic but also in defense and military matters.

Tibet:

Tibetan refugees who have settled permanently in India are also eligible for recruitment into the Indian Army. There is an entire regiment of the Indian Army comprised of Tibetan soldiers, who are playing a critical role in operations along the Himalayan border with China. As refugees, their candidature undergoes a more elaborate scrutiny process.

Citizens of Indian origin from other countries:

Besides these, people of Indian origin who have migrated from other countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Kenya, Uganda, etc., provided they are permanently settled in India, may join the Indian Army.

Religious diversity in the Indian Army 

The Indian Army has a diverse religious composition. Around 70% of soldiers are Hindu, while Sikhs make up about 8%, and Muslims account for roughly 3%. The Army also has representation from other religious groups, including Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis, though they are fewer in number.

Which countries are excluded from joining the Indian Army?

Pakistan:

Citizens of Pakistan are strictly not allowed to enlist in the Indian Army because of the political tensions existing between the two countries.

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh, like Pakistan, is not allowed in the Indian Army recruitment process. Primarily, this is a question of security, and the history between the two countries is pretty complicated.

China:

Citizens of China are also prohibited from enlisting in the Indian Army. Long-standing border disputes and political tensions between India and China explain why this is the case.

Afghanistan

Afghans are largely not recruited. People of Indian origin living in Afghanistan may be considered on a case-to-case basis.

Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the Maldives

Citizens from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the Maldives are normally excluded from joining the Indian Army. There might not be direct prohibitions in place, but any recruitment from these countries would generally be ruled out due to security and diplomatic reasons.

Europe, Africa, and the Americas

Citizens of Europe, Africa, and the Americas are eligible to join the Indian Army. However, they have to fulfill certain requirements, such as having permanently settled in India.

What is the recruitment process?

The recruitment policies of the Indian Army are a blend of historical traditions and modern geopolitical realities. For example, soldiers from Nepal, Bhutan, and other nations where bilateral relations are robust are recruited, but citizens from Pakistan and China, with which bilateral relations are not so great, are not recruited. It is also designed in such a way by the Army to keep high standards of discipline, security, and strategic needs.