Out of 20,000 Indian nationals in Ukraine, 16,000 evacuated so far, says Muraleedharan

New Delhi, March 7: With thousands of Indian nationals being brought back from Ukraine under Operation Ganga, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Monday apprised about the efforts taken by the Indian Embassies to help people in conflict-ridden Ukraine.

V Muraleedharan said, "Out of 20,000 Indian citizens, we have been able to evacuate more than 16,000 citizens. Around 3,000 citizens are still there in the neighbouring countries of Ukraine. Around 600 students are there in Sumy area." "The Embassy is making arrangements to evacuate them," he said. The Centre arranged for flights from neighbouring countries of Ukraine for the evacuation of Indian students under Operation Ganga. Also read | Amid Covid scare, thousands of people leaving this city every day Tensions have escalated following Russia's military action in Ukraine and the government has arranged flights from countries neighbouring Ukraine for the evacuation of Indian students under 'Operation Ganga'. On Sunday the Indian government said that since February 22, it has so far evacuated nearly 16,000 Indian students from Ukraine through flights from Ukraine's neighbouring countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggested that a direct conversation between the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine may greatly assist the ongoing peace efforts to deal with the ongoing conflict. A PMO statement said the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine. President Putin briefed Prime Minister Modi on the status of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian teams. The Prime Minister welcomed the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and expressed hope that they would lead to the cessation of the conflict. "He suggested that a direct conversation between President Putin and President Zelenskyy may greatly assist the ongoing peace efforts," the statement said. Also read | Assembly elections 2022 in five almost over; know how to infer exit poll results Prime Minister Modi conveyed his deep concern for the safety and security of the Indian students still remaining in Sumy. President Putin briefed Prime Minister about the ongoing measures related to humanitarian corridors for facilitating the evacuation of civilians, including Indian students. Sources said the phone call lasted for about 50 minutes. The Prime Minister had earlier in the day talked with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Zelenskyy briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the conflict situation and the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. -PTC News