New Delhi, Feb 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin tonight on the Ukraine situation, even as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would be speaking with his counterparts from Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary on the evacuation of Indians from Ukraine, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said. In a special briefing on Thursday late evening, Shringla also said that around 4,000 Indians, mostly students, have been evacuated of the 20,000 from Ukraine and around 16,000 Indians are still there. Terming the situation in Ukraine, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as “sudden and serious”, he said that Prime Minister Modi chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security to take stock of the situation there, and the top most priority is the safety and security of the students and their evacuation. He said that the MEA has seriously augmented its control room with over 20 officers manning it 24×7. “We have answered 980 calls so far, and dealt with 850 emails so far,” he added. He said the Indian Embassy in Kyiv has also set up a 24X7 helpline. MEA officers from Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary, bordering Ukraine have been asked to help with the evacuation of Indians. MEA officers are also going across to Ukraine on the western border to set up camp offices close to the Poland border as facilitation points. He said the Indian Embassy in Kyiv is asking Indians to remain in secure areas and to move westwards. “A number of our students were reluctant to leave due to fear of missing out on classes. We have persuaded the universities to allow online classes and now the students can leave without missing out on classes,” the Foreign Secretary said. “The situation in Ukraine is difficult and rapidly evolving. We want to assure students and their family members, that we will take all steps to bring back your wards safe and sound,” he added. He said that facilitation help lines, control lines, shelters, accommodation is being arranged for the Indians. “250 Indian citizens have been accommodated in schools near the Indian Embassy in Kyiv, and we will have them evacuated westwards,” he added. Asked about the conversation between the PM and President Putin, he said: “It would be difficult to guess in advance the nature of the conversation. President Putin would provide his perspective and the conversation would be around the situation we see today. We will keep you informed of the nature of the conversation.” On India’s stand on Ukraine and its relations with the countries, he said: “India has maintained the best of relations with all countries whether Russia, Ukraine, or the US. As a country with a lot at stake we have been in touch with all concerned.” He said that EAM Jaishankar had a number of meetings with interlocutors of the EU during his visit to Germany and France, and will be speaking with his counterparts from neighbouring countries for the safe evacuation of Indians. On India’s stand in the UNSC, he said: “Our focus in the UNSC has been on de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue as the way forward. We have stressed on the Minsk agreements, and the Normandy format, and stressed on the safety and security of our nationals.” “We have maintained that the parties need to talk to each other, and we are happy to do anything to help in that,” he added. On India’s view on sanctions on Russia, he said that “certain unilateral sanctions were existing and certain more have been slapped. It is an evolving situation, and we have to see what effect they will have on our own interest.” He said that the impact of the sanctions would need to be studied. On India’s position on the UNSC resolution, he said that a resolution is being tabled and India will study the draft resolution to see the shape it takes, before India announces its position.” Regarding the worry of several states from where students are in Ukraine, he said that the chief secretaries of states have spoken with him, as the states are concerned about their students, and the MEA is coordinating closely in that regard. Asked if India could have taken preemptive measures to evacuate its nationals earlier, he said that the situation “is quite complicated” and they had made preparations accordingly. “What are the options, we were in touch with students and gave them advice, those who could be facilitated we did so… We gave advance notice, and the situation today is due to the evolving situation.” He said the well being and evacuation of Indian nationals is a priority, adding “we will handle it and there is nothing to worry, the safe routes have been identified”. On the Ukrainian ambassador voicing dissatisfaction with India’s reaction, he said that India has been in touch with him “and we did not see any disappointment as far as we are concerned”. RN
