India presses Russia for release of nationals still in Russian military
Synopsis
India has confirmed it is pushing Moscow at multiple diplomatic levels to secure the return of Indian citizens still embedded with the Russian military. With 139 already home and 69 more under active negotiation, the issue has drawn intervention from PM Modi and EAM Jaishankar — and remains unresolved as India walks a careful line between Moscow and Kyiv.
Key Takeaways
The MEA confirmed on 3 November 2026 that India continues to press Russia 'at various levels' for the release of Indian nationals with the Russian military.
Of approximately 259 Indian citizens recruited into the Russian army , 139 have returned home through government efforts.
Negotiations are underway for the return of 69 others still with the Russian side .
Jaishankar met Russian FM Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta , discussing Ukraine, the Gulf, and multilateral issues.
PM Narendra Modi had earlier raised the conflict with President Vladimir Putin in both Delhi and Bishkek .
India is continuing to raise, 'at various levels' with Moscow, the matter of Indian nationals still serving with the Russian military, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. The disclosure came at the ministry's weekly media briefing, underscoring that diplomatic efforts to secure the return of Indian citizens from the Russian side remain firmly on the agenda.
What the MEA Said
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters that External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar had also met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta on Saturday. Jaishankar confirmed in an X post that the bilateral covered the Ukraine conflict, the Gulf situation, and multilateral issues.
Jaiswal said: 'As far as the release of Indian nationals who still remain with the Russian side is concerned, as I have informed you earlier, this is an issue that we continue to take up with the Russian side at various levels.'
Scale of the Problem
Last month, the MEA disclosed that approximately 259 Indian citizens had been recruited into the Russian army. Of these, 139 had been discharged and had returned home through sustained Indian government efforts, while talks with Moscow were ongoing regarding the return of 69 others. The ministry noted it could not confirm how many had since acquired Russian citizenship, as its records cover only those holding Indian passports.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
EAM Jaishankar underscored the sustained diplomatic bandwidth India has committed to this issue. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the conflict directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin — both in Delhi and earlier in Bishkek. Jaishankar himself had visited Moscow for talks with Lavrov, and had also travelled to Kyiv in between, a sequence that reflects India's attempt to maintain communication with both parties.
Broader Context
This comes amid India's ongoing effort to project a posture of strategic autonomy — engaging both Russia and Ukraine diplomatically rather than aligning unequivocally with either side. The plight of Indian nationals recruited — many reportedly under false promises of employment — into the Russian military has been a politically sensitive domestic issue, drawing demands for faster government action. Notably, the 139 returned so far represent a majority of those confirmed recruited, but the fate of the remaining cohort, including the 69 under active negotiation, is unresolved.
What Happens Next
The MEA has not set a public timeline for the resolution of the remaining cases. Diplomatic channels remain open, and India is expected to continue pressing the issue through bilateral mechanisms as well as multilateral forums where both nations are represented. Any development in the Ukraine ceasefire landscape could affect the pace of releases.
Point of View
But the 69 still under negotiation — and the unknown number who may have taken Russian citizenship — represent a accountability gap the government has yet to close publicly. India's carefully maintained equidistance between Moscow and Kyiv has diplomatic value, but it also slows coercive leverage; Russia has little incentive to expedite releases when India's strategic partnership continues regardless. The MEA's weekly-briefing cadence on this issue risks normalising what is, for the families involved, an urgent humanitarian crisis. A clear public timeline, rather than the recurring 'we continue to raise it,' would signal that diplomatic bandwidth is being converted into results.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indian nationals are still with the Russian military?
As of the latest MEA update, approximately 69 Indian nationals remain with the Russian side and are the subject of ongoing negotiations. Of a total of around 259 Indians reportedly recruited into the Russian army, 139 have already been discharged and returned home through Indian government efforts.
What did EAM Jaishankar discuss with Russia's Lavrov at the G20?
EAM S. Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta on Saturday, where they discussed the Ukraine conflict, the Gulf situation, and multilateral issues. Jaishankar confirmed the meeting in a post on X.
Has PM Modi been involved in efforts to secure the release of Indian nationals from Russia?
Yes. EAM Jaishankar stated that PM Narendra Modi had raised the conflict and related concerns directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin during meetings in Delhi and earlier in Bishkek. Jaishankar himself also visited Moscow for talks with Lavrov and travelled to Kyiv in between.
Why can't the MEA confirm how many Indian nationals have taken Russian citizenship?
The MEA has stated that its records cover only Indian citizens holding Indian passports. It is therefore unable to track individuals who may have since acquired Russian citizenship, as they would fall outside its consular jurisdiction.
What is India's broader diplomatic stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
India has maintained a position of strategic autonomy, engaging diplomatically with both Russia and Ukraine rather than aligning with either side. Senior officials including the Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister have held separate talks with leadership on both sides, a posture that reflects India's attempt to act as a potential bridge while protecting its own nationals and interests.
