THE Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India revealed on Friday that 16 Indian nationals who had joined the Russian Army are currently classified as “missing” by Russian authorities.
This update follows India’s identification of 126 Indian nationals who joined the Russian Army. Among them, 96 have already been discharged, while two remain in active service.
The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stressed that India has been pushing for the quick return of its remaining nationals from Russia. This urgency is heightened by concerns over the safety of Indian nationals caught up in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Earlier this week, an Indian national, Binil Babu, aged 32, tragically lost his life in the conflict. Another Indian, Jain TK, aged 27, was injured in the same attack. Both hailed from Kuttanellur, Kerala. In total, over 10 Indian nationals have been killed, including Binil Babu, while 12 fatalities have been confirmed among the 126 cases reported.
India has strongly communicated its concerns to Russia, reiterating its demand for the prompt release of the remaining Indian nationals. The MEA confirmed these efforts, stating that it is actively engaging with Russian authorities in Moscow and the Russian Embassy in New Delhi to ensure the safety of Indian citizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also raised the issue during his visit to Russia earlier in 2024, underlining the importance of India-Russia diplomatic cooperation on this sensitive matter.
Additionally, in March 2024, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched a nationwide crackdown on a suspected human trafficking network.
This group was accused of misleading Indian nationals with promises of lucrative jobs in Russia, ultimately involving them in the Russia-Ukraine war. The network operated through social media and local agents to lure individuals.
The Indian government has since urged its citizens to avoid the conflict and has taken proactive steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
This situation underscores the broader challenges faced by India in balancing its strong diplomatic ties with Russia and ensuring the safety of its citizens amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, a conflict that continues to claim lives.
