We do not want to recruit Indians into our army, the issue of repatriation of Indians will be resolved immediately: Russian Babushkin

New Delhi: Apna Punjab Media: Russia has expressed hope that there will be an immediate solution to the issue related to the return of Indians who have joined its army. He said that Indians were recruited as support personnel in the Russian Army and this recruitment is purely a commercial matter. 
In the first comment on this issue from the Russian government, Russian mission in-charge Roman Babushkin said that Moscow never wanted Indians to be part of its army. He said that in the context of the war, the number of Indians joining the Russian Army is negligible. 

Speaking to the media, he said, "We are with the Government of India on this issue. We hope that the issue will be resolved soon.'' Babushkin's statement came at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly raised the issue of recruitment of Indians in the army with Russian President Vladimir Putin. After this, Russia has promised the immediate release and return home of Indian citizens serving in its army. Babushkin said that this issue should not be politicized. He said that it is clear that the Russian authorities have not made any announcement to recruit Indians into the army. The Russian diplomat said that the Indians had agreed to join the army to earn more money. He said that the number of Indians in the army will be 50, 60 or 100, which is negligible in the ongoing war with Ukraine. Babushkin said that most of the Indians recruited as support staff were working illegally because they did not have valid visas to work. He said that most of these Indians had come to Russia on tourist visa. Responding to the question of giving compensation and Russian citizenship to the families of Indians killed during the war, Babushkin said that it should be followed as per the contract. Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Tuesday that both countries will find ways to bring Indians back home soon.