- The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has claimed thousands of lives since the beginning of the war. This mindless conflict has not only signed the two warring countries but the cascading effect of the same has debilitated the global community in more than one way. The debilitating effect of the mindless war meanders along with no signs of immediate abating. Of course, the global leadership led by the United States of America imposed sanctions on Russia, but we are aware of how ineffective the move has been in the hoped suffocation of Moscow. The sanctions have borne nothing but have only further emboldened Russian strongman Vladimir Putin to press ahead. Welcome to the modern-day stark reality of ego overriding common sense.
PC: The Indian Express
- Both countries are looking out for people to fight by sourcing from around the world. We know how Indian youths are always on the lookout to explore overseas opportunities as the employment scenario at home is anything but satisfactory. Most disturbingly, many youths are being lured into Russia by unscrupulous elements promising jobs and big money. Indians are being recruited by the Russian army to fight against Ukraine. That two more Indian nationals have died fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine shows earlier Union Government’s attempts to stop these recruitments haven’t worked. Needless to mention, the Union Government must use both diplomacy and legal deterrents to stop Indians from being recruited by the Russian army.
- One of those killed recently was a young man from Amritsar who had traveled to Russia in January on a tourist visa and then joined the Russian army. Cases like these present a serious dilemma for the GOI, which has now called on Russia to ensure a verified stop to the recruitment of Indians in the Russian army. There are two types of recruitment of foreign nationals into the Russian army. First, young people looking for employment opportunities are being duped by international recruitment agencies. They are promised lucrative jobs in third countries but find themselves being forced to join Russian forces. But some are joining voluntarily as well. Moscow is offering fast-tracked citizenship for foreigners and their families signing contracts with the military.
PC: The Wire
- Notably, Indians joining foreign armies can be prosecuted under various legal provisions if Govt so choose. Hitherto UAPA provisions have been applied to individuals who had joined, wanted to join, or expressed allegiance to terrorist outfits like ISIS. But there are also IPC provisions proscribing illegal overseas military recruitment. Advising Indians against taking up risky employment in Russia isn’t enough. Applying legal provisions against Indians fighting for Russia can be an effective deterrent. Also, this is a larger South Asian problem, with hundreds being recruited from Nepal and Sri Lanka too. Indian Govt must discuss the matter at the highest level in Russia and bring out boys back home. There cannot be any dilly-dallying on the matter.
