External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly addressed the issue of Indians stranded in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. During their meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, Jaishankar emphasized the unacceptability of Indian citizens being forced to serve in the Russian Army in the conflict zone. He sought cooperation from Russia to ensure these Indians return home safely.
Jaishankar reported that Lavrov acknowledged the concern and mentioned that the Indian Foreign Ministry has been in talks with the Russian Defence Ministry. Jaishankar stressed the need for more robust follow-up actions and expressed his commitment to continuing efforts until all affected Indians are back in India.
Jaishankar also spoke about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Russia, calling it a valuable opportunity for direct discussions between the two leaders. He highlighted the growing economic relationship between India and Russia and the importance of their annual summits. Jaishankar noted that last year he conveyed Modi’s commitment to maintaining the tradition of annual summits, which serve as a vital platform for reviewing and enhancing bilateral ties.
The minister referred to an incident where around 20 Indians were allegedly tricked into fighting for the Russian Army against Ukraine under the guise of lucrative job offers. Sadly, at least two Indians have died in the conflict. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 10 out of the affected Indian nationals have returned home. Earlier this year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) uncovered a significant human trafficking network targeting Indians with false job promises, leading them to the Russia-Ukraine war zone.
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