PM Modi expected to take up issue of Indians caught in Russia-Ukraine war zone during Moscow visit: FS Kwatra
| 2024-07-05
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra addresses a special media briefing in New Delhi on July 5, 2024.
The number of such Indian nationals is estimated to be in the region of 30 to 45
Addressing a special media briefing, Foreign Secretary Kwatra said Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin would hold "restricted talks" followed by delegation-level discussions as part of the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit on July 9, 2024.
They will review the entire range of multi-faceted ties between the two countries; the 21st India-Russia Summit was held in 2021.
"The issue of early discharge of Indian nationals who have been misled into joining the service of the Russian Army is also expected to figure in the discussions," he added, while giving an overview of the agenda for the talks at the upcoming summit.
Responding to a query on the issue, Foreign Secretary Kwatra said that the number of such Indian nationals is estimated to be in the region of 30 to 45; 10 had already been brought back to India.
"Whenever we have received information that Indian nationals have been misled to work in the Russian Army, we have raised the issue strongly with the Russian side," he stated. The matter has been taken up through diplomatic as well as political channels and all efforts have been made to ensure that they return soon, he added.
"Strong action has been taken against those within India who have been engaged in such recruitment," he said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also raised the issue earlier this week. Meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Astana, Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit on July 3, 2024, he expressed strong concern about the Indian nationals who are currently in the war zone and pressed for their safe and early return.
"Good to meet Russian FM Sergey Lavrov in Astana today. Wide ranging conversation on our bilateral partnership and contemporary issues. Noted the progress in many areas since our last meeting in December 2023.
Raised our strong concern on Indian nationals who are currently in the war zone. Pressed for their safe and expeditious return.
Also discussed the global strategic landscape and exchanged assessments and views," he posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Last month, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that two Indian nationals recruited by the Russian Army had been killed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Reacting strongly to the development, India called for a “verified stop” to the recruitment of Indian nationals by the Russian Army and also suggested that such acts could have an impact on bilateral relations.
"We regret to state that two Indian nationals who had been recruited by the Russian Army have recently been killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” the MEA said in a statement issued on June 11, 2024. The MEA pointed out that it had, along with the Indian Embassy in Moscow, “strongly taken up the matter” with the Russian Ambassador in New Delhi and with Russian authorities in Moscow respectively, for early release and return of all Indian nationals who are with the Russian Army.
“India has also demanded that there be a verified stop to any further recruitment of our nationals by the Russian Army. Such activities would not be in consonance with our partnership,” the MEA stated.
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