Jaishankar Presses Lavrov For ‘Safe, Expeditious’ Return Of Indians In War Zone

Days before PM Modi’s visit to Moscow, EAM Jaishankar meets his Russian counterpart and expresses New Delhi’s ‘strong concern’ for Indian nationals who are engaged in the Ukraine War.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday, on the margins of the SCO Summit in Astana. (Image Source: X/@DrSJaishankar)

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday, expressed “strong concern” for Indian nationals who are currently engaged in the Ukraine-Russia war, and “pressed” Moscow to ensure their “safe and expeditious return”. 

The foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Moscow on July 8-9. 

“Good to meet Russian FM Sergey Lavrov in Astana today. Wide ranging conversation on our bilateral partnership and contemporary issues,” Jaishankar said in a post on X after the meeting.

“Noted the progress in many areas since our last meeting in December 2023. Raised our strong concern on Indian nationals who are currently in the war zone. Pressed for their safe and expeditious return. Also discussed the global strategic landscape and exchanged assessments and views,” added Jaishankar, who is going to represent Modi at the SCO Summit.

Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs said about 10 people had been rescued from Russia and brought back home.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week that around 20 to 25 people had contacted the Indian Embassy in Russia, requesting to be rescued.

“We are continuously making efforts in this regard. We are in discussions with the Russian authorities and are making every effort to evacuate all the people who are still there as soon as possible,” he said.

Indians Duped Into Fighting War

While the number is not officially known, several Indian nationals appear to have been entrapped by rackets that took them to Russia on the promise of foreign education and jobs, but instead pushed them to the frontlines of the ongoing war.

So far, two Indians, who reportedly went there for higher studies, have lost their lives in the warzone. The CBI has since busted a human trafficking racket taking Indians to Russia for the war and also made some arrests.

Last month, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said India had been in “continuous and extensive discussions” with Russian officials, the Russian system and the Russian leadership on this matter from day one.

“Our extensive efforts to keep Indians safe include conveying to Russian officials clearly that Indians who are in the war zone, regardless of how they have reached there, should be brought back,” he said.

This issue is expected to come up prominently when Modi meets Putin next week.

Modi’s visit to Moscow will mark his first trip to the country since the war between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022, although he has met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of other global events. During the PM’s visit, India and Russia will also be holding the pending annual bilateral summit, on hold since 2021.