Russia Agrees To Free Indian Men In Army After PM Modi Raises Issue With Putin

Russia will release the Indian men working in the Russian Army. The development comes after Prime Minister flagged the issue during his meet with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday evening.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue during his private dinner hosted by Putin last evening and the Russian President has agreed to release the Indians serving in its army, NDTV reported citing sources.

According to reports, around 200 Indian nationals were recruited as security helpers in the Russian military. At least four of them have lost their lives in the ongoing war. In March, 30-year-old Hyderabad resident Mohammed Asfan succumbed to injuries sustained while serving with Russian troops on the frontlines with Ukraine, according to a report in PTI.

In February, Hemal Ashwinbhai Mangua, a 23-year-old resident of Surat in Gujarat, died in a Ukrainian air strike while serving as a "security helper" in the Donetsk region. It is reported that the Indian have been tricked to join the Russian army.

During the meeting, Putin congratulated Narendra Modi for being elected as the Prime Minister of India for a third time in a row.

PM Modi arrived in Moscow last evening, marking his first visit to the country since it launched a war against Ukraine. He was received at the airport by Russia's First Deputy PM Denis Manturov.

PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Putin today and attend the 22nd India-Russia summit in Moscow.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had strongly taken up the matter with Russia and sought early release and return of all Indian nationals who are with the Russian Army.

"We regret to state that two Indian nationals who had been recruited by the Russian Army have recently been killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine," the MEA said in a statement. The statement stated India has also demanded that there be a "verified stop to any further recruitment of our nationals by the Russian Army. Such activities would not be in consonance with our partnership." "We also urge Indian nationals to exercise caution while seeking employment opportunities in Russia," the MEA said.