Moscow, Aug 21: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday said he had raised the issue of Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces during his talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.
“I took up the issue of Indians serving in the Russian Army. While many have been released, there are still some pending cases and some missing persons. We hope that the Russian side would expeditiously resolve these matters,” Jaishankar told reporters after the discussions.
The minister underlined that New Delhi continues to remain in close contact with Russian authorities, including at the highest levels, to ensure the safety, well-being, and early discharge of all such individuals. He stressed that the government’s priority is to secure their return to India at the earliest.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had confirmed that most Indian nationals serving in the Russian armed forces had been discharged following India’s sustained diplomatic efforts. The Indian Embassy and consulates in Russia have been actively facilitating the return of those released, arranging necessary travel documents and air tickets when required.
The government has also taken steps in tragic cases. The mortal remains of seven Indian nationals who lost their lives in the conflict were brought back to India, while two others were cremated in Russia. “The Government accords the highest priority to the safety, security, and well-being of all Indian nationals abroad,” the MEA had stated in Parliament.
During his Moscow visit, Jaishankar reiterated that India expects Russia to provide updates on the status of the remaining Indian nationals and to ensure their safety until their discharge.
This issue has been a sensitive matter for New Delhi as reports of Indians being lured into service with the Russian military surfaced earlier this year.
