India forms committee for Gorkha political solution

On August 22, 2026, the Indian central government, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, held a tripartite meeting with Gorkha leaders and the India — West Bengal government in Sukna, Darjeeling foothills. The meeting resulted in the formation of a committee under Pankaj Kumar Singh, former deputy national security advisor, to draft an agreement and finalize modalities for a 'permanent political solution' to the Gorkha identity issue within the constitutional framework. The Centre promised adequate funding and sympathetic consideration of all demands. Gorkha leaders, including GJM chief Bimal Gurung and GNLF chief Mann Ghisingh, attended and expressed commitment to a constitutional solution. The move follows decades of agitation for Gorkhaland and previous arrangements like the DGHC and GTA, which have not fully resolved the issue.