Kathmandu, Jan. 22:  John Shephered, a top British Government trade official, who is visiting Nepal to meet businessmen and officials, attended a passing-off parade in Pokhara of recruits selected to join the British Army.

Accompanied by British ambassador Ronald Nash, Mr Shepherd was met at Pokhara by Colonel Mark Dowdle, Commander, British Gurkhas Nepal.

There followed a short parade where the recruits demonstrated their newly taught military skills.

The inspecting officer, Brigadier Mervyn Lee, who is the colonel of the Queen’s Gurkha signals regiment and a trustee of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, praised the 230 recruits on their performance and congratulated them on their selection for service in the british army.

He said that there was a special bond between the two countries, best exemplified by the strong links with the brigade of Gurkhas, forged over a considerable period of time.

After the parade, Mr Shepherd, Mr Nash, Brigadier Lee and Colonel Dowdle took the opportunity to meet and talk to over 500 spectators. the majority were relatives of the recruits, many of whom had travelled considerable distances.

The recruits fly to the United Kingdom shortly to start further recruit training after which they will join their various regiments.