India has voiced serious concerns about the safety of its nationals caught in the ongoing conflict, urging for their prompt and secure return. This issue was brought to the forefront during the talks between Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and India’s Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting.
Following the discussions, Jaishankar tweeted, “Raised our strong concern on Indian nationals who are currently in the war zone. Pressed for their safe and expeditious return.” Jaishankar arrived in Astana to represent India at the annual SCO summit, where he also held a wide-ranging conversation with Lavrov, covering bilateral partnership and contemporary global issues.
The meeting comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month, highlighting the significance of the ongoing dialogue between the two nations. Jaishankar emphasized the progress in various areas since their last meeting in December 2023, reflecting on the strength and breadth of India-Russia relations.
The two ministers discussed the global strategic landscape, sharing assessments and views on various issues. The safety of Indian nationals has become a pressing concern, especially after reports that at least four Indians, recruited by the Russian Army, have been killed in the conflict. The Russian authorities have yet to hand over the bodies of two of these individuals, whose deaths were confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on June 11.
India has taken a firm stance against the recruitment of its nationals by the Russian Army, stating that it is not in line with the India-Russia partnership. The MEA has directly addressed this issue with both the Kremlin in Moscow and the Russian Ambassador in New Delhi, calling for the early release and return of all Indian nationals involved.
At least 30 Indians reached out to the MEA and the Indian Embassy in Moscow for assistance in returning home. This underlines the urgency of the situation and India’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad.
In addition to his meeting with Lavrov, Jaishankar also met with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu. They discussed expanding the strategic partnership between India and Kazakhstan and India’s growing engagement with Central Asia. The exchange of views on regional and global issues further underscores India’s active role in international diplomacy and its efforts to safeguard its national interests.
India’s proactive approach in addressing the safety of its nationals and its diplomatic engagements at the SCO summit highlight the country’s commitment to protecting its citizens and strengthening its global partnerships.