According to a recent report by NDTV, forty-five Indian citizens who were tricked into joining the Russian military to fight in Ukraine have been released, while 50 more are still waiting to be discharged. The Indian Foreign Ministry confirmed this news on September 12, stating that Moscow had agreed to release the illegally inducted Indian nationals after a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in July.
The Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also mentioned that efforts are being made to bring back the remaining 50 citizens who are still on the battlefield. This issue has been a cause of concern for India, as it has strained the otherwise warm relations between Moscow and New Delhi. India has become one of the top buyers of Russian oil, despite the Western sanctions against Russia.
Reports have revealed that people from third-party countries, including India, were lured to Russia with promises of lucrative jobs or other opportunities, only to be forced into enlisting in the military. This has resulted in the deaths of at least four Indian citizens who were fighting for Russia against Ukraine.
The situation has put India in a difficult position, as it has refused to take sides in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and has called for a peaceful resolution. Prime Minister Modi has visited both Moscow and Kyiv in the past few months, highlighting the delicate balance that India is trying to maintain between its relationship with Russia and its ties with Ukraine and its Western partners.
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