LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO- 263
ANSWERED ON – 09.08.2024
INDIANS IN RUSSIAN ARMY
*263. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI
ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH
Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) the details about the specific actions taken by the Government to facilitate the safe and swift repatriation of 40 Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army to India;
(b) whether the Government has launched any investigations into the practices used to recruit Indian nationals into the Russian Army following the reports of many misleading recruitments and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the estimated number of Indian nationals currently serving in the armed forces of other nations across the globe;
(d) whether the Government has any mechanism to monitor their safety and well-being, if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government is aware that trafficking of Indian youths to foreign countries on false promises of jobs are increasing; and
(f) if so, the details of such cases which have come to the notice of the Government during the last three years and current year and the action taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)
(a to f) A statement is laid on the table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (f) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 263 for reply on 09/08/2024 regarding "Indians in Russian Army”.
Early discharge of Indian nationals from the Russian armed forces, as well as their safety and well-being, has been taken up strongly by the Government with relevant Russian authorities at various levels. While the exact number of such Indian nationals is not known, information currently available, indicates that 13 Indian nationals have already left the Russian armed forces while another 66 individuals are seeking early discharge. During his recent visit to Russia in July 2024, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi strongly reiterated the urgent need for early release of all Indian nationals from the Russian armed forces.
The law enforcement authorities of India have taken action under relevant provisions of Indian law against those involved in misleading Indian nationals into service in the Russian armed forces.
The number of Indian nationals in the armed forces of other nations is not known. Our Missions and Posts accord high priority to the safety, security and well-being of all Indian nationals abroad and take appropriate action, as and when any request for assistance is received.
Some instances have come to the notice of Government where Indian nationals, including youth, were lured for jobs abroad by fraudulent agents/entities on the basis of misleading information.
Expeditious and decisive action is initiated by the Ministry of External Affairs and the concerned Indian Missions/Posts abroad, whenever complaints of illegal migration/human trafficking are received. The aggrieved Indian national is provided assistance and relief by the relevant Mission/Post which also takes up the issue suitably with local authorities, and the complaint is referred to the respective State Government for further action. The status of follow up action in this regard for the last three years and the current year is at Annexure-A.
Information about such fraudulent agents/entities is also updated on a regular basis on the e-Migrate Portal. A total of 3,042 illegal agents have been notified on the portal till June 2024.
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