New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that the government is awaiting the release of 69 Indian nationals who were recruited into the Russian army, many of whom were reportedly misled into joining.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha about the measures taken against those involved in this recruitment, the minister said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a criminal case against 19 individuals and entities. Additionally, evidence has emerged against 10 human traffickers whose identities are known to the government. Four of the accused have been arrested, with two taken into custody on April 24 and two more on May 7.
“We should not jump the gun and say Russians are not serious on this matter. I think it is important to hold the Russian government to their word and most important for us, we are not here to score points or enter into debates. We are here to get back those 69 people because Indian citizens should not be serving in the army of foreign countries,” he said during the Question Hour.
Govt cracks down on recruitment racket
Responding to queries from AIMIM member Asaduddin Owaisi, Jaishankar said the government is taking serious action against the people that are misleading Indian youth into joining the Russian army. He said that 91 Indians were recruited, with 69 still awaiting release, 14 discharged and 8 deceased. Jaishankar said that many of these people were misled into contracts with the Russian military.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin and secured an assurance for their release. Apart from that, Jaishankar addressed concerns about cyber trafficking in Southeast Asia, saying that 1,613 Indians have been repatriated from Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. He said that there is a need for strong collaboration between state and Union governments to prosecute those involved.