Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting to expedite the evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine as the fighting has escalated with Russia.

PM Modi is reported to have told officials that bringing back the country’s students is the highest priority for the government.

The foreign secretary made a presentation on the issue. Steps are being taken to further enhance cooperation with neighbouring countries of Ukraine such as Poland and Romania in order to speed up the evacuation, an official said.

Around 16,000 Indian nationals, most of them students, are still stuck in Ukraine, which has been reeling under Russian invasion since Thursday.

PM Modi had also spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday  and stressed that India attaches the "highest priority" to the safe exit and return of its citizens from Ukraine.

A Russian statement on the conversation said PM Modi "thanked President Putin for the clarification and asked for assistance in ensuring the security of Indian citizens currently in Ukraine". President Putin said "necessary instructions" would be given.

Meanwhile, the fifth flight carrying Indian nationals from Ukraine landed at the Delhi airport this morning. The flight with 249 nationals originated from Bucharest in Romania.

The passengers praised the Indian Embassy officials for their safe evacuation from Ukraine.

"Government has helped us a lot. All possible support was provided by the Indian Embassy. The main problem is crossing the border. I hope all Indians are brought back. There are several more Indians still stranded in Ukraine," a student who arrived in Delhi from Ukraine was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Amid the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine has advised Indian nationals against moving to any of the border checkpoints without prior coordination with government officials at border posts.

In an advisory to Indian nationals on Saturday, the embassy stressed that the situation at various border checkpoints is sensitive and it is working continuously with Embassies in the neighbouring countries for coordinated evacuation of our citizens.

The Indian government has set up a dedicated Twitter handle to assist in the evacuation of Indians from Ukraine under Operation Ganga.

The Twitter account lists helpline numbers in Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic – all nations which share borders with Ukraine.

Also read: Welcome back to motherland! Indian students return home from Ukraine