Modi to ask Putin for release of Indian citizens tricked into Russian army - Reuters

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a working visit to Moscow next week. It is expected that he will raise the issue of early release of Indian citizens who were lured to serve in the Russian army.

The statement was made by Indian Foreign Minister Vineet Kwatra on Friday, July 5, Reuters reports.

India estimates that 30 to 40 of its citizens may already be serving in the ranks of the occupying Russian army. At least four Indians have been killed in the Russian war against Ukraine.

"Over the past few months, several cases have come to light where Indians have been lured to Russia with the promise of lucrative jobs or education and ended up at the front fighting against Ukraine, and in May, Indian police arrested four people linked to the human trafficking network behind the scheme," the statement said.

This is what prompted the Modi government to call for an immediate end to such recruitment and the swift release of Indian citizens from service in the Russian military.

"Every effort has been made to ensure that Indian citizens return as soon as possible," Kwatra said, adding that 10 Indians have already been returned home.

Earlier, it became known that Narendra Modi will visit Russia on July 8-9 to hold talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

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