Duped Into War: India Fights to Bring Home Citizens Stranded in Ukraine and Russia
The MEA confirms diplomatic efforts to rescue Indian nationals duped into conflict roles in Ukraine and Russia.
The Indian government is intensifying its diplomatic offensive to secure the release and safe return of Indians stranded in Ukraine and Russia. Many of these nationals were allegedly lured into conflict-related roles under the false promise of lucrative foreign employment, only to find themselves trapped in the middle of a brutal war.
Diplomatic Push in Kyiv and Moscow
During a bi-weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that New Delhi is actively engaging with authorities in both nations. The situation is particularly critical for those who were duped by fraudulent recruitment agencies into taking roles within conflict zones.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Jaiswal revealed that Indian officials are conducting regular consular visits. These visits are designed to maintain a direct line of communication with the trapped citizens and to coordinate with the Ukrainian government to facilitate their release.
"Discussions are underway with the [Ukraine] government to secure the release of our citizens who were lured there under the pretext of employment," Jaiswal stated, emphasizing that every effort is being made to bring them home.
Similarly, the MEA is in continuous contact with Moscow regarding Indian nationals currently serving within the Russian armed forces. Jaiswal noted that the government has already tracked the number of citizens involved and is pushing for their immediate discharge and repatriation.
A Warning Against Fraudulent Recruitment
The Ministry of External Affairs has issued repeated warnings to job seekers. The government has cautioned citizens against falling prey to "too-good-to-be-true" offers from recruitment agencies that promise high-paying jobs in regions plagued by conflict, as these often turn out to be traps.
India's Track Record in Global Crises
Adding weight to the government's commitment, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently highlighted India's proactive approach to protecting its diaspora. Speaking to Indians in Berlin, Goyal asserted that India does not simply issue advisories and leave its citizens to fend for themselves.
He contrasted India's approach with other nations, stating that while some governments merely tell citizens to "come back home" without providing a mechanism to do so, India takes active steps to ensure safe passage. He even noted that India has frequently helped evacuate nationals from other countries during these operations.
The Lesson from Operation Ganga
Minister Goyal recalled the massive evacuation effort at the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, where approximately 22,000 Indians—the majority of whom were students—were stranded.
- Direct Supervision: Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally oversaw the evacuation, creating a specialized "crack team" in Delhi for real-time coordination and feedback.
- High-Level Diplomacy: Four senior ministers were dispatched to neighboring countries to streamline the return of Indian citizens.
- Proactive Warnings: The government had urged citizens to leave Ukraine even before the conflict reached its peak, though the subsequent outbreak made the process significantly more complex.
The current efforts to rescue those duped into military or conflict roles underscore India's ongoing strategy of prioritizing the safety and well-being of its citizens, regardless of how they ended up in crisis-hit regions.