India wants Russia to stop recruiting Indians for its army after two killed in Ukraine war
The Indian External Affairs Ministry stated that New Delhi has asked for a verified halt to any more recruitment of Indian citizens by the Russian military.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India reported that two Indian nationals who joined the Russian Army have lost their lives in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
India has called for Russia to halt the recruitment of Indian citizens for its military, citing that such actions do not align with the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
The MEA, in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Moscow, has urged Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Defense, to bring back the bodies of the dead people quickly.
“We regret to state that two Indian nationals who the Russian Army had recruited have recently been killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. We express our sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our Embassy in Moscow has pressed the Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, for early repatriation of mortal remains,” statement from the ministry.
The MEA conveyed sympathies to the families of the deceased and advised Indian citizens to be cautious when pursuing job opportunities in Russia. Additionally, the Ministry has requested a verified halt to the enlistment of Indian nationals by the Russian Army.
The Times of India has revealed the identities of the deceased Indian nationals as 30-year-old Tejpal Singh from Amritsar, 23-year-old Hemil Ashvinbhai Mangukiya from Surat, and 31-year-old Mohammad Asfan from Hyderabad. The Indian government is actively working to secure the prompt release and return of all Indian nationals currently serving in the Russian Army.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has continuous contact with Russian authorities to facilitate the repatriation of Indian nationals associated with the Russian military. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the government’s dedication to ensuring the swift return of these individuals to India.
CBI Uncovers Human Trafficking Linked to Ukraine Conflict
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has disclosed a human trafficking network that targeted Indian nationals with false promises of well-paying jobs overseas, only to send them to the conflict zone between Russia and Ukraine. The CBI searched 13 locations, including Delhi, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Ambala, Chandigarh, Madurai, and Chennai, revealing an organized group of traffickers.
Media reports have indicated that around 100 Indians were recruited by the Russian military in the past year, with some being coerced into fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Reports from February 2024 highlighted that several Indian recruits, initially hired as “army security helpers,” were forced into combat roles.
In response to these findings, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated its call for Russia to cease recruiting Indian nationals and to ensure the swift release and return of those already enlisted.
The Ministry emphasized that such recruitment practices undermine the partnership between India and Russia and advised Indian nationals to exercise caution regarding employment opportunities in Russia.
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