India

Never Wanted Indians In Our Army, Says Russia As Modi Seeks Return Of Citizens

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: As India called for the return of its citizens engaged as support staff in the Russian Army in the war against Ukraine, Russia said on Wednesday their recruitment was a commercial matter, reported PTI.

Narendra Modi raised the “very strongly” with President Vladimir Putin during the Indian Prime Minister’s two-day state visit to Moscow.

Russia promised to ensure early release and return home of Indian nationals working in the Russian military.

Russia’s Charge d’affaires Roman Babushkin said that Moscow never wanted Indians to be part of its Army and their number is insignificant in the context of the conflict.

“We are on the same side with the Indian government on the issue… We hope that the issue will be resolved soon,” Babushkin told mediapersons, urging that the issue should not be politicised.

“Let us be very clear, we have never wanted Indians to be part of the Russian Army. You would never see any announcement by Russian authorities on this,” he stated.

Pointing out that 50, 60 or 100 Indians are with Russian military, Babushkin said most of them were recruited under a commercial framework as they wanted to ‘make money’.

“They are there purely for commercial reasons and we did not want to recruit them,” he said.

Babushkin further clarified that most of the Indians recruited as support staff are working illegally as they don’t have appropriate visas, and came to Russia on tourist visas.

Last month, the Indian government said two Indian nationals recruited by the Russian Army had been killed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, taking the number of such deaths to four.

Asked if families of the deceased will be given compensation and Russian citizenship, Babushkin said it should happen anyway as per contractual obligations.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

IPL Auction: KKR Break Bank For Venkatesh On Lucrative Day For Indian Players; Check Top Buys

Mumbai: The first day of the IPL mega player auction at Jeddah threw up several…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Hands Over Case Of Attack On Dharmasala MLA To Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has handed over the investigation into the attack on Dhramasala MLA…

November 24, 2024

Commissionerate Police Issues Traffic Advisory During Winter Session Of Odisha Assembly; Details Here

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate of Police on Sunday issued an advisory for movement of vehicular traffic…

November 24, 2024

Elon Musk Proposal: Fire US Federal Employees Who Want To Work From Home

New York: Now that President-elect Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk with the responsibility of co-heading…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Warns Of Stern Action For Renting Out Its Quarters

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned its employees of stern action for sub-letting their allotted…

November 24, 2024

AR Rahman Best Man In The World, Certifies Saira Banu; Then Why Their Separation?

Mumbai: There has been a lot of talk over AR Rahman and his wife Saira…

November 24, 2024

Process On To Form NODC In 2-3 Months, Says Odisha CM Mohan Majhi

Sundargarh: The North Odisha Development Council (NODC) would be formed in 2-3 months, said Chief…

November 24, 2024

Odisha DGP Reviews Security Arrangements For President’s Visit To Puri

Puri: Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania on Sunday reviewed the security arrangements for…

November 24, 2024