Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia after returning to power for a third term gains significance for many reasons. This is his first visit to Russia since its war against Ukraine. Also, Modi urging Russia to send Indian nationals back to India has been welcomed by both the countries.

It is believed that about 40 Indians are trapped in the Russian army, fighting the war against Ukraine as victims of a huge racket. They have been forcefully recruited into the army when they got into Russia on the pretext of employment but were tricked by agents.

While meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at a private dinner during his two-day Moscow visit, Modi raised this concern with Putin in continuation of the Indian government seeking the release of Indians from the Russian army, in March this year. Russian authorities had then informed the Indian government that “strong action” was being taken against “agents and unscrupulous elements who recruited them on false pretexts and promises”. Putin has given a word of assurance to Modi that Russia would facilitate the return of all the Indians still fighting for its army.

Reliable sources say that four Indians were killed in the war, while 10 others have returned to India. The remaining Indian nationals continue to be in the war zone. Modi’s visit, and his discussion of this matter with Putin, has offered a ray of hope to the families of those still in Russia. – editor@nrifocus.com