Diplomatic Push: India Seeks Discharge of 55 Nationals in Russian Military, Warns Citizens Against "Dangerous Path"

NEW DELHI — India has intensified its diplomatic efforts with Moscow, pressing Russian authorities to take decisive action against recruitment agents luring Indian nationals into the Russian armed forces, as reports indicate that 55 Indians are still serving in the Russian military.

The push comes during a key bilateral meeting where New Delhi sought concrete updates on the discharge and repatriation of its citizens caught in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

According to government sources, around 140 Indian nationals who were previously recruited into the Russian army have already been discharged and are in the process of returning home.

However, the whereabouts and status of the remaining 55 Indians remain a primary concern for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which is in continuous touch with the Kremlin to secure their safe release.

The issue of fraudulent recruitment has gained urgent attention, with the MEA noting that several Indians have been "duped" by unverified agents promising highly paid jobs in Russia.

In a strong advisory issued this week, the MEA explicitly warned Indian citizens against accepting such offers, describing the decision to join a foreign military as a "dangerous path" that poses grave risks to life and legal standing.

The ministry also highlighted a concerning trend of some individuals willingly seeking out these recruitment offers in the expectation of monetary gain, even at the cost of renouncing their Indian citizenship.

"The Government advises Indian nationals to refrain from taking such actions and to exercise due diligence before accepting offers from entities not registered with the MEA," the advisory stated, urging thorough verification of any overseas employment proposal.

During the recent high-level consultations, Indian diplomats emphasized that Moscow must not only facilitate the discharge of the remaining 55 nationals but also initiate strict action against the racketeers and agents operating on the ground who facilitate this illegal recruitment.

The Indian government has made it clear that human trafficking and deceptive employment practices targeting its citizens will not be tolerated.

While India and Russia continue to maintain a robust strategic and trade partnership, New Delhi has drawn a firm line on the safety and sovereignty of its citizens.

The MEA has assured that all possible diplomatic and consular channels are being utilized to bring the remaining Indians home safely, while simultaneously working with domestic law enforcement to dismantle the domestic networks feeding this illicit recruitment pipeline.