Russia will discharge all Indians who are fighting for Moscow's forces in Ukraine following a deal between Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi, it has been reported.
India's prime minister arrived in Moscow Monday for a two-day visit—his first to Russia in three years, with trade between the countries booming since the start of Putin's full-scale invasion.
Indian media outlet NDTV said the leaders discussed the fate of dozens of Indian troops who claimed they were tricked into taking up a fighting role after being persuaded by agents to go to Russia on the pretext of getting high-paying jobs. Two Indian men have reportedly died in the war in Ukraine.
A video went viral in March of men from the Punjab and Haryana regions wearing army uniforms in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Oblast and asking for help after claiming they had been tricked into fighting.
NDTV said the men had gone to Russia on December 27 to celebrate the new year there. One of the men said an agent in Russia had offered to take them to Belarus, not knowing they needed a visa.
When they got there, they were abandoned by the agent and picked up by the police, before being handed over to the authorities and made to sign documents "forcing" them to fight in the war against Ukraine, the Indian outlet reported.
But NDTV said that Modi raised the issue at a private dinner hosted by Putin on Monday, according to unnamed sources, during which Moscow agreed to discharge all Indians serving in their army and facilitate their return.
The outlet also reported that Indian law enforcement had carried out raids and busted a ring involved in trafficking Indians to Russia.
When asked about the reported deal between the leaders, Putin's spokesman replied, "we do not comment on this topic in any way," state news agency Interfax reported. Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin and the Indian foreign ministry for further comment.
Refraining from imposing sanctions for Putin's aggression, India has capitalized on its "friendly" country status with Russia and is now only behind China in its purchases of Russian oil. Trade in other products has also increased with trade last year worth a record $65.7 billion according to India's Trade Ministry.
Putin and Modi are starting new terms in office, with the Russian leader reelected for a fifth term as president in disputed elections in March. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won elections last month albeit with a lesser majority than predicted.
Modi broke with the tradition of newly-elected Indian leaders visiting neighboring countries first, and chose Russia instead, leading analysts to conclude it was due to New Delhi's concern at Moscow's increasing dependence on Beijing.
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