NEW DELHI — India on Wednesday said it had urged Russia to return Indian citizens recruited by Russia’s army after two were killed recently in the war in Ukraine.
“I want to assure you that the Indian government has taken the matter very seriously,” foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters.
On Tuesday night, India’s foreign ministry said it was in touch with Russian authorities to arrange the repatriation of the two Indians’ remains. Two other Indians died earlier this year while fighting in Ukraine.
India has avoided voting against Russia at the United Nations or criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. India considers Russia a time-tested ally from the Cold War era with cooperation in defense, oil, nuclear energy and space exploration.
India previously said its authorities were in talks with Russia about the return of its citizens who it said had been duped into working for the Russian army. Its federal investigation agency said it had broken up a human trafficking network that lured people to Russia under the pretext of giving them jobs, with at least 35 Indians being sent via agents.
Sri Lanka and Russia held talks last month to resolve the issue of Sri Lankans fighting alongside Russians in the war against Ukraine, after at least 16 were reported missing in action. The South Asian island nation said its citizens had been duped into traveling to Russia with promises of good salaries and perks including Russian citizenship.
Nepal in January asked Russia to send back hundreds of Nepali nationals who were recruited to fight against Ukraine. At least 14 Nepali nationals have died in Ukraine.
India has recently called on Russia to repatriate its citizens who were recruited by the Russian army following the deaths of two individuals. The tragic incident has raised concerns about the safety and treatment of Indian nationals serving in the Russian military.
The two individuals, identified as Manish Kumar and Sunil Kumar, were recruited by a Russian military contractor and were reportedly working in Syria when they lost their lives. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear, but their families have been left devastated by the news.
In response to the incident, the Indian government has urged Russia to take immediate action to repatriate its citizens and ensure their safety. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and is in touch with Russian authorities to facilitate the return of the deceased individuals’ remains to India.
This tragic incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by Indian nationals who are recruited by foreign military contractors. It also underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals working in such high-risk environments.
The Indian government has also emphasized the need for greater oversight and regulation of recruitment practices by foreign military contractors to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. It has called on all countries to adhere to international standards and protocols when recruiting foreign nationals for military service.
In the meantime, the families of Manish Kumar and Sunil Kumar are mourning their loss and seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding their deaths. They are calling for a thorough investigation into the incident and for justice to be served.
As the Indian government continues to work with Russian authorities to repatriate its citizens, it is crucial that steps are taken to prevent such tragedies from happening again. The safety and well-being of Indian nationals working abroad must be a top priority, and all necessary measures should be taken to protect their rights and ensure their welfare.
