After the closure of the airspace, an Air India flight to pick up Indian nationals from Ukraine had to return to Delhi midway. According to Foreign Ministry sources, more Russian-speaking officials have been sent to the Indian Embassy in Ukraine and Indian officials are also being deployed in neighboring countries of Ukraine.
Several guidelines have also been issued by the Indian Embassy for Indian students and citizens living in Ukraine. The Indian embassy has also barred its citizens from traveling to Kiev. Also, temporarily, they have been asked to move to safer places in their cities, especially near the border with the countries near the western border.
According to sources, the Government of India is keeping a close watch on the rapidly changing developments. The focus of the government is on the safety of Indians, especially the students.
India appeals for immediate reduction of Russia-Ukraine tension
After ordering an attack on Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin, India has said that if Russia-Ukraine hostilities are not curbed, it will turn into a major crisis. This could lead to severe instability in the region. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN TS Tirumurti said that the current situation is moving towards a major crisis.
Tirumurti expressed his deep concern over the current developments and said that if it was not handled carefully, the peace and security of the region could be undermined. India called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and refraining from any action that could worsen the situation.
Emphasizing on the need for all sides to maintain peace and security while exercising restraint, Tirumurti said the only solution is constant diplomatic dialogue. He said that India is helping its citizens living in different regions of Ukraine to return home through special flights.
India’s advisory: Stay safe wherever you are, keep peace
An advisory has been issued by the Indian Embassy in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, saying that there is a situation of uncertainty in Ukraine. Keep calm and stay safe wherever you are in your homes, hostels and on roads. At the same time, the control room of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs is being expanded, and it has been made operational on a 24×7 basis, that is, the control room is working 24 hours. Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine had asked students from India to leave the country temporarily.
Indian control room in Ukraine
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has set up a control room in Ukraine. Indian citizens and their families in Ukraine can seek help and information on these numbers and emails in case of emergency. They can call on toll free number 1800118797. Also these phone numbers can be contacted. +91 11 23012113 / +91 11 23014104 / +91 11 23017905
– Number of Fax Services : +91 11 23088124
-E mail ID : [email protected]
– Help line number: +380 99730428 and +380 99730483
Indians to be driven out via Poland-Hungary
After Russia’s attack on Ukraine, India has planned to bring back its citizens trapped there safely through neighboring countries of Poland and Hungary. In the meeting of the Cabinet’s Security Affairs Committee (CCS) convened on the situation arising out of the war, PM Modi has said to give top priority to the safety of its citizens. Apart from this, the Air Force has been instructed to prepare for airlifting civilians if needed.
In a press conference called late night after the CCS meeting, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said that we are constantly striving for the safe return of our citizens. An alternative route has been prepared in consultation with the neighboring countries of Ukraine. The route from Ukraine’s capital Kiev to Poland is six hours and the route to Hungary is nine hours. If needed, we will evacuate our citizens safely from Ukraine through this alternate route.
CCS struggled for three hours
In the three-hour meeting of the CCS, the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs apprised the PM about the latest situation. During this, the strategy made for the safe return of the stranded citizens was discussed. During this, the PM directed to give top priority to the safety of citizens. The Foreign Secretary said that the help of the Air Force would be taken if needed. In view of the possibility of air lift, the Air Force has been instructed to be ready.
Foreign Minister engaged on the front from Germany itself
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is currently on a tour of Germany. Jaishankar has started diplomatic contact from there for the safe return of Indians. He has also spoken to foreign ministers of some neighboring countries of Ukraine. By late night, Jaishankar will also contact the foreign ministers of the remaining neighboring countries.
16000 Indians are stranded
According to the Foreign Secretary, at present 16000 Indians are stranded in Ukraine. Four thousand people left Ukraine after issuing advisories several times. Most of the stranded are medical students. The foreign secretary said these students did not leave Ukraine despite several advisories being issued due to various complications including off-line studies.
PM talks to Putin
PM Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin late night on other issues including the safe return of stranded citizens. Sources say that the main issue of this conversation was the safety and safe return of Indians trapped in Ukraine. However, the details of the talks between the two leaders were not made public till the writing of the news.