Putin orders discharge of Indians in Russian army
Indians working in the Russian army after Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with President Vladimir Putin during his Moscow visit on Monday night, a development that observers described as a diplomatic victory for India.
At least four Indians have died fighting the Ukraine war. Around 61 Indians are believed to be serving in the Russian army.
The PM raised the issue at a private dinner hosted by Putin on Monday evening, said people familiar with the matter.
Russia agreed to discharge all Indians serving in its army and facilitate their return, the people said. The Indians were duped to join the Russian army through agents, they said, adding that there could be more Indians who went to join the Russian army but may have slipped into Europe.
Last month, the external affairs ministry said two more Indian nationals serving with the Russian army were killed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, taking the number of such deaths to four. In March, 30-year-old Hyderabad resident Mohammed Asfan succumbed to injuries sustained while serving with Russian troops on the frontline with Ukraine. In February, Hemal Ashwinbhai Mangua, a 23-year-old resident of Surat, died in a Ukrainian air strike while serving as a «security helper» in the Donetsk region.
Addressing Indian diaspora in Moscow on Tuesday morning, PM Modi lauded Putin for his leadership and for partnership with India, «For every Indian Russia is synonymous with dependable friend, friend in joy and sorrow,» he said.
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