MOSCOW (Diya TV) — In a significant diplomatic achievement, India has secured the discharge and safe return of all Indian nationals working in the Russian Army. This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi raised the issue during his recent visit to Russia, prompting a swift response from the Russian government.
On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also addressed the matter with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. Jaishankar emphasized the urgency of releasing Indians recruited into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, following the tragic deaths of two Indian nationals in the ongoing war.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed in June that two Indians were killed while serving in the Russian Army. India immediately sought the early release and repatriation of all Indian nationals involved. “Several Indians have been pressed into services with the Russian Army,” Jaishankar stated in an interview with ANI. “To us, it is unacceptable that Indian citizens find themselves in the army of another country in a warzone.”
In April, the MEA confirmed that ten Indian nationals working as support staff in the Russian Army had already returned home. Reports indicated that around 20 others were misled into joining the Russian Army with promises of lucrative jobs.
During informal talks at Putin’s official residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, the Russian President congratulated Modi on his re-election, attributing it to his dedication and effective governance. “I would like to congratulate you on your reelection as prime minister. This is not an accident but the result of your work over many years,” Putin remarked. He praised Modi’s leadership, innovative ideas, and ability to deliver results for India and its people.
The two leaders are scheduled to hold official talks focusing on economic issues, energy, trade, and the peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to sources from TASS news agency, the economic agenda will include discussions on energy, trade, production, and fertilizers. They will also explore avenues for resolving the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic means, emphasizing that a solution cannot be found on the battlefield.
The annual summit between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Russia remains the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in their strategic partnership. To date, 21 summits have alternated between India and Russia, with the last one held in New Delhi on December 6, 2021.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, PM Modi has engaged in several telephonic conversations with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, advocating for an end to the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue. Reflecting its strong friendship with Russia, India has refrained from condemning Moscow’s actions, maintaining that the conflict should be resolved diplomatically.
As Modi and Putin prepare for further talks, it is expected that India will reiterate its stance that “a solution can’t be found on the battlefield,” in line with its long-standing viewpoint.
Meanwhile, the United States has urged India to communicate to Russia that any resolution to the Ukraine conflict must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity as outlined in the UN Charter. “We would urge India, as we do any country when it engages with Russia, to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine needs to respect the UN Charter and Ukraine’s territorial integrity,” stated US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
This development marks a major diplomatic success for India as Russia agrees to discharge all Indians serving in its army and facilitate their return. The Indian government continues to take strong actions against agents and unscrupulous elements who lured citizens into the conflict under false pretenses. Indian probe agencies have also dismantled trafficking rings involved in sending Indians to Russia.
