Russia has decided to release all Indian citizens employed in its military after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin during Modi’s trip to Moscow, as per reports from news agency ANI citing anonymous sources.
At least two Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives while participating in Russia’s conflict against Ukraine, with many others currently trapped in the war zone claiming they were misled into joining the combat.
It was reported that during a private dinner hosted by Vladimir Putin on Monday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised this concern. In response, Russia agreed to release all Indian individuals serving in their military and facilitate their safe return.
According to Reuters, a senior Indian official informed the news agency last week that addressing India’s trade imbalance with Russia and ensuring the repatriation of Indian citizens who were deceived into participating in the Ukraine conflict would be among Modi’s key priorities during his visit to Moscow.
Regarding the recruitment of Indians for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, sources mentioned that India would strongly address this issue, as reported earlier by news agency PTI.
According to an unnamed source cited by PTI, there is a pressing need for the prompt repatriation of Indian individuals involved in the conflict in Ukraine from the Russian military.
While initial reports indicated that around 200 Indian citizens were recruited by the Russian military for non-combat roles like cooks and assistants, the actual number may be closer to 100, as per the same sources. However, establishing contact with these individuals has proven challenging for Indian authorities due to the constant movement of military units and communication barriers.
The Ministry of External Affairs had previously advised Indian nationals to be cautious when considering job opportunities in Russia.
Numerous Indian citizens fell victim to fraudulent recruitment agents in India and Dubai, luring them into roles with the Russian military. In addition to the reported fatalities, several Indians have sustained injuries. Some individuals have taken to social media to seek assistance in leaving these positions.
The CBI recently dismantled a human trafficking network that spanned multiple states, targeting vulnerable young men through social media platforms and agents by offering lucrative job opportunities in Russia.
Earlier this year, a video went viral featuring men from Punjab and Haryana in army uniforms, alleging they were deceived into participating in the conflict in Ukraine and appealing for assistance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to engage in discussions with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, following his arrival in Moscow amidst international condemnation of Russian military actions in Ukraine.
During his first visit to Moscow since Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in February 2022, Modi aims to strengthen India’s enduring ties with Russia while also pursuing closer security partnerships with Western nations following his recent re-election.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the importance of fostering a conducive environment for substantive dialogue, stating, “Preparation is not about surprises, but about establishing a conducive atmosphere for meaningful engagement.”