- MEA expresses concern over Indians joining Russian armed forces.
- Indians lured by financial benefits, citizenship, misleading job promises.
- Government advises against recruitment, working for early discharge.
The Ministry of External Affairs has raised fresh concerns over Indian nationals giving up their citizenship as a route to joining the Russian armed forces. The ministry has said that some Indian nationals voluntarily joined the Russian military, fully aware of the risks involved in serving in conflict zones, primarily in pursuit of short-term financial benefits and other incentives.
At the same time, the MEA acknowledged that some Indians were allegedly misled or deceived by agents with promises of civilian jobs before being recruited into the Russian military. However, the ministry noted that a significant number of those who joined had prior knowledge of the risks associated with such a decision. Some of these individuals have subsequently appealed to the Indian government for intervention and assistance in securing their release.
The MEA advisory further said Indian nationals are advised to "exercise due diligence" before accepting job offers from such agents who are not registered with the MEA. "It has also come to our notice that foreign nationals are being recruited to serve in the Russian armed forces by non-public entities including voluntary groups," the MEA cautioned.
Why are Indians giving up their citizenship?
The motivation appears to have been a combination of money, Russian citizenship or residency prospects and misleading recruitment promises. An MEA status report cited financial incentives and the prospect of a Russian passport as factors in recruitment. But the government has also stressed that not everyone joined knowingly; several Indians were allegedly recruited by agents with promises of civilian jobs and later sent to the battlefield.
MEA issues fresh advisory
In a fresh advisory issued on Wednesday, MEA cautioned them against seeking recruitment in the Russian armed forces, and advised that individuals should consider the gravity of such actions and understand the mortal dangers they are exposing themselves to.
In its advisory, the MEA also said it has "come across numerous instances wherein individuals are willingly seeking out offers to join the Russian armed forces with an understanding that they would be able to avail concomitant monetary benefits, and later secure release by approaching the Indian government".
"It is reiterated that this is a dangerous path and is strongly discouraged by the government," the advisory said.
The MEA underlined that the Indian government remains "continuously engaged" with the Russian side to ensure the safety, well-being and early discharge of all Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces.
MEA urges citizens to avoid such job offers
The ministry has regularly called upon Indians to stay away from job offers that are "fraught" with risks. "We are continuing to see reports about Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces. The government has on several occasions over the past two years underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and advised Indian citizens from time to time to be cautious while pursuing job opportunities abroad and not get lured by any job offers from unverified individuals," the advisory said.
There have also been "numerous instances wherein individuals have approached Indian authorities to willingly give up their Indian citizenship, avail a Russian passport and then get recruited in Russian armed forces. Some have already done so without consulting Indian authorities, having been lured by temporary monetary benefits", it added.
It is advised that individuals should consider the gravity of such actions and understand the mortal dangers they are exposing themselves to. The government advises Indian nationals to refrain from taking such actions, the MEA added.
The MEA had said in July that the government's efforts had led to the release of 139 Indian nationals. New Delhi has multiple times asked Russia to release all Indians serving as support staff, such as cooks and helpers, with Russian military units.
(With inputs from agencies)