As Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India for a high-level two-day state visit starting Friday, a pressing humanitarian concern from Punjab has been thrust into the spotlight of diplomatic talks. Congress MLA Pargat Singh has made an urgent appeal to the Government of India to immediately raise the alarming issue of Indian youth being misled into joining the Russian army under false pretenses.
Deception and Coercion: The False Promise of Employment
Pargat Singh highlighted a distressing pattern where several men from Punjab, lured by the promise of lucrative employment opportunities abroad, found themselves in a perilous situation. Instead of safe jobs, they were allegedly coerced or outright deceived into participating in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. This exploitation has placed young Indians directly in the line of fire in a foreign war they have no stake in.
The situation has already turned tragic, with the MLA confirming that at least five individuals have lost their lives. Furthermore, several others remain missing or are untraceable, causing immense anguish for their families back home in India. The scale of this deception underscores a severe breach of trust and a grave violation of human rights.
An Appeal for Diplomatic Intervention
Seizing the moment of President Putin's visit, MLA Pargat Singh has directly appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He has urged them to take up this critical matter during the current high-level talks with the Russian leadership.
The core demand is for India to convey a strong, unambiguous message to Russia. India must state in clear terms that the exploitation of its citizens, especially its youth, in foreign conflicts is completely unacceptable. Such actions, Singh emphasized, go against all established humanitarian principles and the spirit of bilateral relations between the two nations.
The Path Forward: Accountability and Prevention
This issue transcends immediate rescue efforts. It calls for a robust diplomatic framework to prevent future occurrences. The appeal suggests that the talks should not only seek accountability for those already trapped but also establish clear mechanisms to ensure no more Indian nationals are victimized by such deceptive recruitment practices.
The arrival of a global leader like Vladimir Putin presents a crucial opportunity for the Indian government to address this sensitive issue at the highest level. The outcome of this discussion will be closely watched by families across Punjab and the nation, hoping for the safe return of their loved ones and justice for those lost.
