The Indian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement expressing concern over the involvement of Indian nationals in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The ministry acknowledged that a small number of Indian citizens have engaged in employment opportunities with the Russian military, although it remains unclear whether any have assumed combat roles. This situation has prompted the Indian government to communicate with Russian officials to facilitate the early release of these individuals.
The ministry’s statement highlighted that the Indian Embassy has been actively addressing this issue with the pertinent Russian authorities, urging Indian nationals to exercise caution and steer clear of the conflict zone. This advisory comes in the wake of reports suggesting the potential risks and exploitation faced by Indians drawn into the conflict under the guise of employment.
A notable report from India’s Hindu newspaper shed light on the plight of approximately 18 Indian nationals stranded in frontline areas of the conflict. According to this report, at least three Indians were coerced into participating in combat alongside Russian forces. The individuals were reportedly lured by recruiters based in Dubai with promises of lucrative salaries and Russian citizenship. However, upon their arrival in Moscow, they were trained in weaponry and dispatched to the frontlines, indicating a significant deviation from the promised non-combatant roles.
The report further revealed that around 100 Indian citizens have been recruited over the past year, bound by contracts extending for a minimum of one year. These developments have raised serious concerns about the methods employed by recruiters and the potential misinformation regarding the nature of the roles offered to Indian nationals.
In response to similar concerns, Nepal has already taken preventative measures by halting the issuance of work permits to its citizens for Russia and Ukraine, a decision influenced by the deaths of at least 10 Nepali soldiers in the Russian army.
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