Publish Date: | Thu, 03 Mar 2022 07:19 PM (IST)
Operation Ganga Update: In the midst of increasing attacks in Ukraine, the Indian government has intensified efforts to evacuate its countrymen. Giving information about the efforts of the Indian government on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi has said that 18,000 people trapped in Ukraine have left. Under Operation Ganga, the Government of India has brought back 6,400 of its citizens from Ukraine by 30 aircraft. During the next 24 hours, 18 aircraft will be operated to ensure the return of people. The ministry is scheduling some more flights, which will bring back a large number of Indians in the next 2-3 days.
Giving another worrying information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that we have come to know from the Ukrainian authorities that many students left Kharkiv yesterday. But some are still stranded. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said that initially 20,000 Indian nationals were registered in Ukraine, but there were many who did not register. We estimate that a few hundred citizens are still living in Kharkiv. Our priority is to get them all out safely.
Registration of 20,000 Indian nationals was done initially, but there were many who did not register. We estimate a few hundred citizens still remain in Kharkiv. Our priority is to take students out safely in whatever mode of transport possible: MEA Spox Arindam Bagchi pic.twitter.com/xomIaJt8Wc
— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2022
efforts made so far
The ministry said on Thursday that flights have been increased in recent days and more flights will be increased in the coming days. According to Arindam Bagchi, 15 flights have come to India in the last 24 hours. At the same time, 18 flights will be sent to Ukraine in the next 24 hours. Of these, 3 flights are Indian Air Force C-17, the rest are commercial flights, including Air India, Indico, Spice Jet, Go Air and Go First. These flights will bring Indians who have left Ukraine and are now in neighboring countries. The ministry is trying to bring all these Indian citizens back to India as soon as possible. Arindam Bagchi has commended the government of Ukraine and neighboring countries for hosting the Indians and helping them evacuate.
Posted By: Shailendra Kumar