Russia and India Address Misled Indians in Russian Army Amid Ukraine Conflict

Russia has pledged to find a prompt resolution to the issue of Indians being misled into joining its army to fight in Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's discussions with President Vladimir Putin have focused on discharging these Indians, with both nations working closely to address the problem. Arrests have been made in India related to the human-trafficking network responsible.

Russia is committed to finding the "earliest possible solution" to the issue of Indians being duped into joining its army and fighting in the Ukraine war, a top Russian diplomat said, in Moscow's first comments on the matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made the discharge of these Indians a focal point in his talks with President Vladimir Putin this week.

An Indian official accompanying Modi reported on Tuesday that Russia has assured their early discharge. "The Russian army does not need Indians, especially since their numbers are very few, and they do not affect the battleground situation in any way," stated Roman Babushkin, the Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Embassy in India, late on Wednesday.

He informed ANI news agency that while most Indians fighting in the war were there for "commercial purposes", some were cheated by agents into joining. India and Russia are closely coordinating to address this issue, and the investigation should span both nations due to the agents mostly operating from India.

Last week, India stated that about 30 to 40 Indians were lured to Russia with promises of lucrative jobs and educational opportunities, and at least four Indians have been killed in the conflict. India has arrested at least four individuals linked to a human-trafficking network behind the scam, and has repatriated 10 Indian nationals from Russia so far.

Despite recent geopolitical turmoil, New Delhi and Moscow share close historical ties, with India purchasing large quantities of discounted Russian oil following Western sanctions. India has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, advocating instead for peace through dialogue. However, Modi recently delivered a sensitive reproach to Putin regarding the death of innocent children in the conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)