In recent years, there has been an alarming rise in the number of Indian nationals recruited into the Russian army. As per the latest data shared by the External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar in the Lok Sabha, 91 Indian citizens have been identified as having served in the Russian military.

Of these, eight have tragically lost their lives, while 14 have been discharged and returned to India with government assistance. However, 69 Indian nationals remain in service, awaiting their release.

The Indian government is treating this matter with utmost seriousness. Jaishankar said that this issue has been raised on multiple occasions with the Russian authorities. During a recent visit to Moscow, Prime Minister Modi Narendra personally discussed the situation with President Vladimir Putin, securing an assurance that all Indian nationals in the Russian army would be discharged and released.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, the Russian authorities insist that these Indians had voluntarily entered into contracts with the Russian military—a claim the Indian government disputes. There are indications that many of these individuals were misled into believing they were accepting other types of employment, only to find themselves conscripted into the Russian army.

According to the minister, in response to this situation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in India has taken legal action against those involved in human trafficking. A criminal case has been registered against 19 individuals and entities. Of these, sufficient evidence has been found against 10 human traffickers, leading to the arrest of four individuals, who are now in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, with the government determined to hold accountable those responsible for misleading Indian nationals into military service in Russia.

Human Trafficking

The issue of Indians in the Russian army is part of a broader problem of human trafficking, where individuals are misled and exploited. The minister also highlighted the growing concern of cyber trafficking in Southeast Asia, where Indians are being lured into working for cyber scam operations. The government has successfully repatriated hundreds of Indians from countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, but the need for vigilance remains high.

Background

Historically, India and Russia have shared a strong military relationship, but the presence of Indians in the Russian army under questionable circumstances is a relatively recent and disturbing development. This issue highlights the darker side of human trafficking, where innocent lives are entangled in international conflicts, often without their knowledge or consent. The Indian government’s ongoing efforts aim to protect its citizens and bring those responsible to justice.