Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today, expressing deep concern over the safety and security of Indian students still stuck in the conflict zone.
As Russia declared a ceasefire Monday morning, opening humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Sumy in eastern Ukraine, New Delhi remains deeply worried about the remaining Indians in the warzone.
The Indian authorities estimate over 700 of its citizens are still stuck in Sumy which has witnessed intense violence over the past few days.
This was also the main talking point during the half an hour call between PM Modi and Zelenskyy on Monday morning.
"Prime Minister thanked Ukrainian authorities for their facilitation in evacuating more than 20000 Indian citizens from Ukraine. He expressed deep concern for safety and security of Indian students still remaining in Ukraine and emphasized the need for their quick and safe evacuation," said the Indian Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Zelenskyy also briefed PM Modi in detail about the conflict situation and the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
"The Prime Minister expressed deep concern about the ongoing conflict and resultant humanitarian crisis. Prime Minister reiterated his call for immediate cessation of violence and noted that India has always stood for peaceful resolution of issues and direct dialogue between the two parties," the PMO added.
Informed 🇮🇳 Prime Minister @narendramodi about 🇺🇦 countering Russian aggression. 🇮🇳 appreciates the assistance to its citizens during the war and 🇺🇦 commitment to direct peaceful dialogue at the highest level. Grateful for the support to the Ukrainian people. #StopRussia
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 7, 2022
It is expected that PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will also be speaking to each other sometime during the day.
Also Read: India fully focused on Sumy evacuation in Ukraine after thousands return via Hungary
After safely evacuating thousands of its students from the country, India is now completely focused on bringing out its citizens from Sumy, a city in the Ukrainian northeast on the border with Russia.
An Indian team is also stationed in Poltava to coordinate the safe passage of Indian students stranded in Sumy to western borders.
"Confirmed time & date will be issued soon. Indian students advised to be ready to leave on short notice. Be safe, be strong," tweeted the Indian embassy in Ukraine on Sunday night.
The Indian government had been strongly pressing both the Russian and the Ukrainian sides to allow a local ceasefire, just to get a corridor for the students.
Russia said that today's ceasefire decision was taken at French President Emmanuel Macron's personal request to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their phone call on Sunday.
As reported by IndianNarrative.com last week, Putin and Macron had on March 3 discussed safely evacuating the stranded Indian students in Ukraine's Kharkov during their phone call lasting an hour and a half.
The Russian President had told Macron to join forces to ensure the safe evacuation of foreigners from Ukraine, specifically mentioning a large group of Indian students stranded in the city of Kharkov.
"The French president said he will contact the government of Ukraine on the issue," reported Russian state media quoting a statement from the Kremlin.
The conversation between the two leaders had taken place after PM Modi had spoken to Putin for the second time in a week last Wednesday with the discussion centering around the safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from the conflict areas in Ukraine.
Also Read: Putin and Macron discuss safe evacuation of Indian students from Kharkov in Ukraine
