MEA TELLS Indian citizens ‘Don’t join Russian Army’: warns of risks and dangers
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – India Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday issued an advisory, urged its citizens to stay away from any offers to join the Russian Army, warned that such a course is “fraught with dangers.”
The Indian Government advised Indian nationals to stay away from any offers to join the Russian Army, warning that such a course is “fraught with dangers.”
The Ministry of External Affairs statement came in response to media queries following reports that Indians have recently been recruited into the Russian Army.
MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the government is aware of the reports about the recent recruitment of Indians into the Russian Army, which is currently fighting a war in Ukraine.
Jaiswal said Government has on several occasions over the past one year underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly,”.
He said that India has raised the matter with Russian authorities both in New Delhi and Moscow, demanding that the practice be ended immediately and that Indian nationals be released.
“We have also taken up the matter with Russian authorities, both in Delhi and Moscow, asking that this practice be ended and that our nationals be released. We are also in touch with the families of the affected Indian citizens,” he said.
The MEA spokesperson urged Indians to avoid any offers of joining the Russian Army, stating, “This is a course fraught with danger.”
The MEA statement came after a report published by an English daily alleged that Indians were lured to Russia under the pretext of construction jobs, only to be sent to the frontlines to fight Ukrainian troops.
One of the victims the newspaper spoke to was quoted as saying that he had been deployed in Selydove, a Ukrainian town that Russia captured last year. He also claimed that there were over a dozen more Indians who were also recruited to the Russian Army under false pretexts.
