India
oi-Deepika S
New Delhi, February 20: India has asked the families of officials at the Indian Embassy in Ukraine to return if their stay in the Eastern European nation “is not deemed essential”.
In a second advisory issued today, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine said Indian citizens should seek out any available commercial or charter flights out of the country amid tensions over a possible Russian invasion.
“Given the high levels of tension and uncertainty regarding the situation in Ukraine, all Indian nationals whose stay is not deemed essential and all Indian students are advised to leave Ukraine temporarily,” he said. said the embassy.
He said available commercial flights and charter flights could be used for travel, for an “orderly and speedy departure” from Ukraine.
It is learned that the government has not so far planned to send a special plane to bring back the family members of the Indian embassy staff, as Air India operates a flight from there on 22, 24 and 26 february.
Earlier in the day, India asked its citizens to temporarily leave crisis-hit Ukraine given the persistently high level of tensions and uncertainty regarding the situation in the region.
“All Indian nationals whose stay is not deemed essential and all Indian students are advised to leave Ukraine temporarily. Commercial flights and charter flights available can be used for travel, orderly departure and fast,” the Indian embassy said in a statement.
“Indian students are advised to also contact the respective contracting students for updates on charter flights, and continue to follow the Embassy on Facebook, website and Twitter for any updates,” a- he added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) set up a control room on Wednesday to provide information and assistance to Indian nationals in Ukraine. In addition, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine has also set up a 24-hour hotline for Indians in this Eastern European country.
Russia has positioned around 1,00,000 troops near its border with Ukraine in addition to sending warships to the Black Sea for naval exercises, raising concerns among NATO nations over a possible invasion Russian from Ukraine.
Russia has denied plans to invade Ukraine.
According to a 2020 official document, Ukraine had a small but vibrant Indian community and there were around 18,000 Indian students studying in this country. Amid escalating tension, Russia and Belarus have extended military exercises near the border with Ukraine. The exercise was to end on Sunday.
