Indians Re-enlist in Russian Military After Returning Home, Says Indian Government
The Indian government told the Supreme Court that some citizens who had been repatriated from Russia later rejoined the Russian army and could not be located.
In New Delhi, officials presented a status report to a Supreme Court panel headed by CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, indicating that several Indian nationals who had been sent home from the Russian army later rejoined the Russian military and have become untraceable. The additional solicitor general explained that these cases involve people who initially came to Russia on tourist, student or employment visas and were motivated by temporary financial benefits.
The Ministry of External Affairs added that some applicants even sought to surrender their Indian citizenship, acquire Russian passports, and then enlist. The report highlighted persistent efforts by the Indian government and its embassy to locate and repatriate such individuals, but noted that many have successfully re-entered the Russian forces. This development raises concerns about recruitment practices and the challenges of monitoring citizens abroad.
Why it matters
It reveals a security and diplomatic challenge as Indian citizens are voluntarily joining a foreign army.
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