Prime Minister Narendra Modi held another high-level meeting on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion that entered its second week on Saturday and the evacuation of Indians from the war-hit east European nation.
Among those present at the meeting were external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal, besides foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and national security adviser Ajit Doval.
The PM has been chairing frequent meetings with senior officials and Union ministers over the past few days amid an intensified military campaign by Russian forces in Ukraine. The government has launched a massive evacuation mission, titled, ‘Operation Ganga’ to bring back its citizens from the conflict zone.
Earlier in the day, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said about 13,300 Indians have returned to the country so far from Ukraine. The strife-torn nation’s airspace is shut for passenger flights, hence, stranded Indians are being asked to reach neighbouring nations from where India is operating a number of rescue flights daily. Addressing a press conference, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said 15 flights have landed in the last 24 hours with around 2,900 onboard. “Another 13 flights scheduled for the next 24 hours,” Bagchi added.
The ministry also issued an appeal to students urging them to take safety precautions and stay inside shelters. The MEA said the government was strongly pressing Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor.
