In the wake of two more Indians getting killed in the on-going conflict of Russia and Ukraine, India has demanded a “verified stop” to further recruitment of its nationals by the Russian Army.
So far four Indian nationals have been killed in the conflict, which Russia thought would get over within months of its invasion of the neighbouring country on February 24 in 2022.
India has reacted sharply against the backdrop of reports that up to 200 Indian nationals had been recruited by the Russian military to serve as support staff, such as cooks and helpers.
“We regret to state that two Indian nationals who had been recruited by the Russian Army have recently been killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement issued late on Tuesday night.
However, the ministry did not give details any details of the Indian nationals killed in the conflict.
“India has also demanded that there be a verified stop to any further recruitment of our nationals by the Russian Army. Such activities would not be in consonance with our partnership,” it added.
The strong reaction from Indian side suggests that the matter could have an impact on bilateral relations.
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Ever since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India has refrained from censuring it and only called for the two countries to end the war through dialogue and diplomacy and find a solution to their differences.
Meanwhile, the External Affairs Ministry has also offered its deepest condolences to the families of the dead.
“Our Embassy in Moscow has pressed the Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, for early repatriation of mortal remains,” it said in an official statement released in New Delhi.
The Indian side has “strongly taken up the matter with Russian authorities for early release and return of all Indian nationals who are with the Russian Army, it added.
