A total of 85 Indian nationals recruited by the Russian military have been discharged, with authorities working for the release of another 20 citizens, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday.
Misri stated that India understands that nearly 20 individuals remain in the Russian military. The release of these remaining Indians is expected to be discussed during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS Summit in Kazan on Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The repatriation of Indian nationals, who served as support staff such as cooks and helpers with Russian military units, has become a significant issue for New Delhi following the death of at least nine Indians on the front lines of the Ukraine war. Modi had previously raised the matter with Putin during their meeting at the India-Russia Summit in Moscow in July.
The Indian government is maintaining close contact with Russia’s foreign and defense ministries regarding the release of Indians who were “illegally or otherwise” contracted to fight in the Russian Army, Misri explained during a media briefing on Modi’s visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit.
“Our current understanding is that about 85 individuals have returned from Russia. Unfortunately, some mortal remains of those who lost their lives in the conflict have also been repatriated,” he said. Misri added, “We are pushing for the early discharge of all remaining Indians still in the armed forces.”
In September, it was reported that the release of these individuals was delayed as the Russian defense ministry had yet to annul their military contracts. In August, the Russian embassy in New Delhi announced that the recruitment of Indian nationals into Russia’s armed forces had ceased in April, and efforts were underway for the early discharge of those who had “voluntarily contracted for military service.”
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Indian authorities have noted that many Indians recruited into the Russian military were misled by unscrupulous recruitment agents. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a criminal case against 19 individuals and entities for their alleged role in recruiting Indians and has made several arrests.