Russia agrees to release Indians fighting in Ukraine after PM Modi's diplomatic efforts

Russia has decided to release and facilitate the return of all Indians fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine, following a breakthrough achieved after Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow.

The development came after Prime Minister Modi, currently in Moscow for a two-day visit, brought up the matter during a private dinner hosted by Putin on July 8, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Nearly two dozen Indians were believed to have been coerced into fighting the war against Ukraine after being deceived by agents who lured them with promises of high-paying jobs.

In March, the Indian government stated that they had "strongly" taken up the matter with Russian authorities, urging for their early discharge.

"Strong action has been initiated against agents and unscrupulous elements who recruited them on false pretexts and promises," the government declared.

Reports indicate that four Indians have been killed in the war, while 10 have returned to the country. Approximately 35–40 Indians are still believed to be stuck in Russia.

The plight of Indians fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war is a significant concern for New Delhi. In recent months, reports have emerged about Indians who have fallen victim to job fraud, tricked and forced by scammers to fight for the Russian army, which accepts recruits from other countries. One such group even posted a video on social media narrating their ordeal and pleading for government intervention.

India's Foreign Ministry has stated that it is pressing hard to bring back the recruits tricked by agents. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has emphasized that the issue is a "profound concern" for India, and has been engaging with Russia for the past few months to make progress.

Two Indians, Ashvinbhai Mangukiya and Mohammad Asfan (both from Gujarat), were reported killed in the Ukraine war earlier this year. Two others were reported killed in June.

India has maintained that the recruitment of Indian nationals into the Russian army in a conflict situation is not consistent with the India-Russia diplomatic partnership, and has called for the early release and return of all such Indian nationals. India has also demanded a halt to such recruitment in the future.

In this context, the breakthrough during PM Modi's visit brings major relief to the families of the recruits still stuck in Russia.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Moscow on Monday evening, marking his first visit to the country since the launch of the war against Ukraine. Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov received PM Modi at the airport.

The prime minister will hold bilateral talks with Putin on Tuesday and attend the 22nd India-Russia summit in Moscow.

Prime Minister Modi has been treading a fine line between maintaining a longstanding relationship with Moscow and forging closer Western security ties. This visit is also PM Modi's first since he returned to power for a third term.