India on Friday urged Ukrainian and Russian troops to have a “local ceasefire” so that the stranded Indian nationals can be evacuated safely from the conflict zone. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that New Delhi is primarily focusing on evacuating its nationals from the conflict zones of Kharkiv and Sumy cities in eastern Ukraine. He further said that around 300 Indians are stuck in Kharkiv city and 700 are in Sumy city.
The MEA also said that it is yet to see the implementation of the decision by the two sides to create safe corridors for the exit of the Indian citizens.
He also said that 16 evacuation flights, including Indian Air Force’s C-17 aircraft, have been scheduled by the government for the next 24 hours to bring back the Indians from Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland. Over 10,300 Indians brought back in 48 flights under ‘Operation Ganga’ so far, he said, adding that India will continue with the operation till the last citizen is not taken out of Ukraine.
The MEA spokesperson said over 20,000 Indians have left Ukraine’s borders since India issued its first travel advisories in mid-February. “There are more people, but it is reassuring to see that these many people have left,” he added.
Addressing a press briefing on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and evacuation of citizens, Bagchi said, “It looks difficult without a ceasefire. We urge the parties concerned, Ukraine and Russia, to have a local ceasefire at least so that we can evacuate our people, students. We had requested the Ukrainian authorities for special trains but have not heard anything from them yet. Meanwhile, we are arranging buses.”
“We are paying highest attention on the eastern Ukraine, particularly Kharkiv and Pisochin. We have managed to get some buses there. Five buses are already operational and more buses will be arranged later in the evening; 900-1000 Indians stranded in Pisochin and over 700 in Sumy. We are concerned about Sumy,” he said.
On being asked whether an IL-76 transport aircraft is being put on standby for evacuation of Indians from the Russian side, Bagchi, without giving a specific reply said, “all are in readiness”.
The MEA also reiterated that there is no hostage situation in war-hit Ukraine. “We are reiterating that we are not aware of any Indian being held hostage. They are facing difficulty due to security reasons particularly in Kharkiv, Ukraine, but no hostage situation,” Bagchi said.
On being asked about Harjot Singh, who received bullet injuries and is admitted at a hospital in Kyiv for treatment, Baghci said, “The Government of India will be bearing expenses for Harjot Singh’s medical treatment. We are trying to ascertain his medical status. Our embassy is trying to get an update on his health status. We are trying to reach out but facing trouble as it’s a conflict zone.”
In the briefing, Bagchi also said that India has evacuated one Bangladeshi national as part of its mission to bring back the stranded Indians.
India has been evacuating its citizens through special flights from Ukraine’s western neighbours such as Romania, Hungary and Poland as the Ukrainian airspace has been shut since February 24 due to the Russian military offensive.
(with inputs from PTI)
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