'Govt Working Tirelessly To Bring Back Indians Stuck In Ukraine': PM Modi On 'Operation Ganga'

The government is working tirelessly to bring back all Indians stuck in Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in UP's Basti

New Delhi: While polling is underway for the fifth phase in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Basti and addressed a public rally today focusing on voters of the remaining two phases. 

Commenting on the present situation of the Russian invasion in Ukraine and India's airlift operation to bring nationals home, PM Modi said that the government is working tirelessly to bring back all Indians stuck in Ukraine.

Addressing an election rally in Basti in Uttar Pradesh, Modi pointed to the turmoil prevailing in the world and pitched for strengthening the country by making it "atmanirbhar" (self-reliant).

The Prime Minister said, "by running Operation Ganga, we are bringing back 1000s of Indians home. Our sons, daughters still stranded in Ukraine will be brought back. GoI working day and night for them...Wherever there is trouble, we left no tone unturned to bring our citizens back."

He also targeted his political opponents.

Key points of PM Modi's address in Basti

• PM Modi said that previous governments led by dynasts kept India dependent on foreign countries for its defence needs, but now the priority is "atmanirbhar", he said.
• There is a difference between "rashtra bhakti" (devotion to nation) and "pariwar bhakti" (devotion to family), he said taking a swipe at his rivals.
• The country celebrated three years of the Balakot air strike on February 26, but dynasts had sought proof of it then, he said.
• The Prime Minister further said that India carried out the air strike on terrorist launch pads, days after the Pulwama terror attack in which around 40 security forces personnel were killed in 2019.
• PM Modi said, "We don't have oil refineries, we import crude oil... They (Opposition) never paid attention to it... Now, with the help of sugarcane, ethanol can be made. Our govt is establishing a network of Ethanol plant."

Modi is also scheduled to address election rallies in support of BJP candidates in Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddarthnagar and Ambedkarnagar later in the day. These areas will vote in the sixth phase on March 3.