PM Modi Ensures Early Discharge of Indians from Russian Army in Talks with President Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the issue of Indian nationals being recruited into the Russian army. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra announced that Russia has assured an early discharge of these Indians.

During a special briefing, Kwatra said, “The Prime Minister strongly raised the issue of early discharge of Indian nationals who have been misled into the service of the Russian army. The Russian side promised early discharge of all Indian nationals from the service of the Russian army.”

Several Indians were allegedly duped into fighting in Russia’s war with Ukraine under the pretext of lucrative jobs. In April, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) busted a major human trafficking network that was luring Indian nationals through social media and local contacts for highly paid jobs in Russia but sending them to the war zone instead.

Kwatra also discussed investment partnerships in energy, including trade and hydrocarbon, and cooperation in nuclear energy, particularly the Kudankulam nuclear power projects. He mentioned that the highest national honor, the Order of St Andrew the Apostle, was conferred on PM Modi in 2019.

The talks between the two leaders covered economic cooperation, political engagement, trade, capital linkages, energy, science and technology, defense, and security. They also reviewed bilateral engagements and multilateral groupings like BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the United Nations.

PM Modi addressed the Indian community in Moscow, highlighting the strong ties between India and Russia and the contribution of the Indian diaspora. He announced the opening of Indian consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg, emphasizing that the ties between India and Russia are boosting global prosperity.