Indian govt focuses on safe evacuation of stranded Indian nationals as tension flares in Ukraine

As Russia attacks Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs has expanded its control room and made it operational on a 24x7 basis, reports ETV Bharat's Chandrakala Choudhury.

New Delhi: We are focusing on the safety and security of our people in Ukraine and have enhanced the working hours of the control room to round-the-clock, said a government official who is privy to the development on Thursday. Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine in what could be seen as the beginning of war in Europe over Russia's demands for an end to NATO's eastward expansion. Explosions were heard from Kyiv and other cities.

"We are closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation. The focus is the safety and security of Indians, particularly students. The strength of the External Affairs Ministry control room is being expanded. We have made it operational on a 24x7 basis," sources told ETV Bharat.

Of the 20,000 Indian nationals who are in Ukraine, only a few hundreds have returned to India. The rest including thousands of students are still stranded in Ukraine. So far, India has not issued any statement in response to the Russian military action on Ukraine. India, as expected, has chosen to remain silent and neutral over the matter.

The sources said the Indian administration which wants de-escalation of tension has dedicated its focus on the safe evacuation of all Indian nationals from Ukraine. But the question is how India will ensure the safe evacuation of its citizens as the Ukrainian authorities issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) restricting flights of civil aircraft within Ukraine citing potential hazard for civil aviation. Notably, India's second flight of Air India which was en route to Kyiv turned around mid-way as Ukraine's airspace was closed.

Meanwhile, India at the UNSC has called for an immediate de-escalation and warned that the situation is in danger of spiralling into a major crisis. "If not handled carefully, it may undermine security. The security of all parties should be taken into account," India's permanent representative to the UN TS Tirumurti said.