“In constant discussions with Russian side…”: MEA says 239 Indian nationals discharged from Russian Army NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday that 139 of the 227 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces had been discharged, while 51 had died. India continues to have talks with Moscow to secure the release and repatriation of those still serving.Misri gave the figures while responding to a question on Indians serving in the Russian army during a Ministry of External Affairs briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kyrgyzstan.He said the issue of Indian nationals being recruited into the Russian armed forces had been raised with Russia “at various levels on various occasions”.“At last count, we had information about 227 Indian nationals who had been recruited into the Russian army,” Misri said. “Out of that, we have information that 139 of our nationals have been discharged from the army. And unfortunately, of course, we have information also about 51 people who have perished so far.”Misri said India remained engaged with Moscow to secure the early discharge and return of those whose cases were still pending.“This is an issue that we are in constant discussions with the Russian side,” he said.He added that the Indian Embassy in Moscow was regularly monitoring the situation and working with Russian authorities to facilitate the release and repatriation of the remaining Indian nationals.“Our embassy in Moscow is monitoring this situation regularly with regard to the release and repatriation of these Indian citizens,” Misri said, adding that India was seeking to ensure that those still serving were discharged at the earliest and returned to their families.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMEA’s remarks come as PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Bishkek.During the meeting, Modi stressed the need for the world to move from an era of “endless wars” towards the “end of war”, while the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and global developments.Misri also said India and Russia were looking to expand bilateral trade. He said an Indian Exporters Forum would be organised alongside the next annual summit in Russia to encourage Indian businesses to diversify and increase exports to the Russian market.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPrisha PatnaikPrisha Patnaik is a journalist with The Times of India, writing across geopolitics, international affairs, culture, history and internet culture. With over two years of experience in social media and digital content, she is interested in how news, politics and culture are shaped for digital audiences. She holds a master’s degree in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNepal Flood Crisis: 8,900 Army Personnel Deployed As Search For Missing People ContinuesDelhi Draft Voter Roll Out: 47.7 Lakh Electors Excluded, Claims Allowed Till September 30Akhilesh Yadav’s Big Attack On UP Govt; Divya Mittal Resignation & Meerut Custody RowIndus Waters Row: India Rejects Hague Court’s Jurisdiction, Says Treaty Suspension Will Continue’Dumped 40 KM Away In Delhi’: Teen Allegedly Gang-Raped In Empty Sleeper Bus, Two Accused ArrestedLVM3 Tech Transfer: Adani, Mahindra Among Firms Eyeing ISRO’s ‘Bahubali’ RocketPM Modi Meets Pezeshkian In Bishkek, Reiterates ‘Friendship With Iran’ Amid West Asia Conflict‘Babur’s Country Honoured Modi’: Owaisi Takes Dig At BJP, RSS As PM Gets Uzbekistan’s Top Award’One May Call Bharat Superpower But…’: RSS Chief Bhagwat’s ‘Vishwaguru’ Msg In Canada‘Islam Is Greater Than Other Dharams’: Karnataka Minister Sparks Row, BJP Calls Cong ‘Anti-Hindu’123Hot PicksNepal floodMumbai port fireGandak riverMumbai milk priceDelhi rapeWeather tomorrowTN milk price hikeGATE 2027 registrationIndia GDP growthTop TrendingCanyon Flash FloodStuart BroadBabaz AzamNovak DjokovicUS Iran WarTravis Kelce BusinessKai CenatCoco GauffsNaomi OsakaLebron James
NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday that 139 of the 227 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces had been discharged, while 51 had died. India continues to have talks with Moscow to secure the release and repatriation of those still serving.Misri gave the figures while responding to a question on Indians serving in the Russian army during a Ministry of External Affairs briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kyrgyzstan.He said the issue of Indian nationals being recruited into the Russian armed forces had been raised with Russia “at various levels on various occasions”.“At last count, we had information about 227 Indian nationals who had been recruited into the Russian army,” Misri said. “Out of that, we have information that 139 of our nationals have been discharged from the army. And unfortunately, of course, we have information also about 51 people who have perished so far.”Misri said India remained engaged with Moscow to secure the early discharge and return of those whose cases were still pending.“This is an issue that we are in constant discussions with the Russian side,” he said.He added that the Indian Embassy in Moscow was regularly monitoring the situation and working with Russian authorities to facilitate the release and repatriation of the remaining Indian nationals.“Our embassy in Moscow is monitoring this situation regularly with regard to the release and repatriation of these Indian citizens,” Misri said, adding that India was seeking to ensure that those still serving were discharged at the earliest and returned to their families.
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MEA’s remarks come as PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Bishkek.During the meeting, Modi stressed the need for the world to move from an era of “endless wars” towards the “end of war”, while the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and global developments.Misri also said India and Russia were looking to expand bilateral trade. He said an Indian Exporters Forum would be organised alongside the next annual summit in Russia to encourage Indian businesses to diversify and increase exports to the Russian market.
