Ukrainian soldiers drive tanks during military training at an unknown location.
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India is seeking the release of Indian nationals who were “cheated” into serving in the Russian army, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday, in a rare disagreement with Moscow.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “Several Indian citizens were deceived into cooperating with Russian forces. We have strongly discussed this matter with the Russian government so that these Indian citizens can be demobilized at the earliest.” “Already A case of human trafficking was registered against several agents.”
He called on Indian nationals “not to be swayed by offers from agents to provide support work for the Russian military. This is fraught with danger and risk to life,” stressing that New Delhi remains “committed to the early release of our nationals who work in support roles” to join the Russian military and Finally return home. “
Late on Thursday, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation said it had raided several “major human trafficking networks” that “targeted gullible youths” with lucrative job opportunities abroad. The CBI found at least “35 cases” of Indian citizens being sent abroad as a result of these operations.
“These traffickers have been operating as an organized network to lure Indian citizens to Russia in search of well-paying jobs through social media channels such as YouTube and their local contacts/agents,” The Confederation of British Industry said in a statement.
Indian nationals were recruited, “trained against their will for combat missions and deployed at forward bases in the Russian-Ukrainian theater, thereby putting their lives in grave danger”.
“It has been determined that some of these victims also suffered serious injuries in war zones,” the agency said.
Against this backdrop, the domestic labor crisis has prompted Indian nationals to seek employment abroad.
India’s unemployment rate climbs to 8% in February Data from the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), an independent think tank, showed that India’s economic growth rate fell from 6.8% in January as the country’s economic expansion significantly outpaced job creation.
war of attrition
Moscow and Kiev have been locked in a war of attrition on Ukrainian soil for more than two years, with Russia introducing strict conscription laws and raising the maximum age for conscription. Foreign volunteer fighters have joined both sides of the conflict.
Indian and international news media reported reports of Indian citizens being trapped for Russian troops.Thursday Reuters explain Mohammed Asfan, from Hyderabad, India, died in the war in Ukraine after traveling to Russia to work as an “aide” to the army.
The Indian Embassy in Russia said: “We are aware of the tragic death of Indian citizen Shri Mohammed Asfan. We are in touch with his family and Russian authorities. The delegation will work to repatriate his mortal remains to India .” Said on social media on March 6. It did not say whether Asfan died while fighting for Russia or on Ukrainian soil.
CNBC has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment.
rare crack
Demands for the release of Indian nationals fighting for Russia have put New Delhi in a rare dilemma with Moscow.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India took a staunchly neutral stance despite US objections and abstained from voting on resolutions submitted to the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council that condemned Moscow.
India also provides a rare outlet for Russian seaborne crude, having lost EU and G7 buyers since sanctions were imposed in late 2022 that banned purchases.
The two countries are also partners in the BRICS emerging market economic alliance and have close relations.
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