Unacceptable”: S Jaishankar Criticizes Indians Serving in Russian Army

Mr Jaishankar spoke about the upcoming visit of PM Modi to Russia. When asked if he raised the stranded Indians issue with Lavrov, Mr Jaishankar told ANI that he had strongly and clearly communicated India’s concerns. He emphasized that it is unacceptable for Indian citizens to find themselves in the army of another country in a warzone and sought cooperation from Russia in ensuring the safe return of all affected Indians.

Regarding the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia, Mr Jaishankar expressed that it presents a great opportunity for both leaders to discuss the growing economic relationship between the two countries. He highlighted the history of strong collaboration between India and Russia and emphasized the need for regular summits to assess and strengthen the relationship. The issue of Indian nationals allegedly being duped into fighting for the Russian Army in the war against Ukraine was also addressed.

It was confirmed that some Indian nationals who were working as support staff in the Russian Army have returned to India, but concerns remain for those still stranded. Additionally, a major human trafficking network targeting Indian nationals and sending them to the Russia-Ukraine war zone has been busted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Overall, Mr Jaishankar stressed the need for continued efforts to address the challenges faced by Indian citizens in such situations and emphasized the importance of cooperation and direct dialogue between India and Russia.