Russia has agreed to release all Indian nationals working in its army after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin during Modi’s visit to Moscow, according to news agency ANI.
Sources said that during a private dinner hosted by Putin on Monday night, Modi raised the issue. In response, Russia agreed to discharge all Indians serving in their military and help them return home.
Reuters reported that an Indian official said last week that Modi’s top priorities in Moscow were addressing India’s trade imbalance with Russia and ensuring the release of Indian citizens who were “misled” into fighting in the Ukraine war.
Regarding the Indians recruited for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, sources said India would push strongly for their release, according to news agency PTI. “We want the quick discharge of Indians fighting in the Ukraine conflict from the Russian military,” an unnamed source told PTI.
Reports suggest that up to 200 Indian nationals were recruited by the Russian military as support staff, like cooks and helpers. However, sources say the number might be around 100. It has been challenging for Indian authorities to contact these nationals due to the constant movement of military units and poor communications.
The external affairs ministry had earlier warned Indian citizens to be cautious when seeking jobs in Russia.
Many Indian nationals were tricked by recruiting agents in Indian cities and Dubai into joining the Russian military. Besides the four deaths, several Indians have been injured. Some have posted videos on social media asking for help to leave these jobs. Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) busted a human trafficking network that lured young men with promises of high-paying jobs in Russia.
Earlier this year, a viral video showed a group of men from Punjab and Haryana wearing army uniforms, claiming they were tricked into fighting in Ukraine and asking for help.
Modi and Putin are set to hold talks on Tuesday, a day after Modi arrived in Moscow amid global outrage over Russian strikes in Ukraine. This is Modi’s first visit to Moscow since Russia began its campaign in Ukraine in February 2022, and he aims to maintain New Delhi’s long-standing relationship with Moscow.
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