Alternative Plan Being Prepared To Evacuate Indians: Govt After Ukraine Closes Airspace

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the government would ensure the safety of over 18,000 Indians, including students, stranded in Ukraine.

People wait for trains at a station as they attempt to leave Kyiv in Ukraine (Getty Images)

New Delhi: With Ukraine closing its airspace in the wake of a Russian military operation, the Centre on Thursday said India was making alternative arrangements for the safe evacuation of its nationals stranded in the eastern European nation.

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the government would ensure the safety of over 18,000 Indians, including students, stranded in Ukraine. He asked them to follow the instructions of the Indian Embassy in Kyiv.

"No need to panic...The Central Government is with you...An alternative plan is being prepared to repatriate Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine. We are looking for other ways as the airspace of that country has been closed," PTI quoted Muraleedharan as saying.

He said the details of the mission would be made available soon. Around 242 Indian students returned to India late on Tuesday night.

Earlier in the day, an Air India plane that took off for Kyiv, capital of Ukraine, to bring back Indians had to return to Delhi due to the closure of Ukrainian airspace.

The Indian embassy in Ukraine on Thursday asked Indian nationals and students to maintain calm.

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"The present situation in Ukraine is highly uncertain. Please maintain calm and remain safe wherever you are, be it in your homes, hostels, accommodation or in transit," the Indian embassy said in a fresh advisory.

"All those who are travelling to Kyiv, including those travelling from western parts of Kyiv, are advised to return to their respective cities temporarily, especially towards safer places along the western bordering countries," it said in an advisory.

The safety of 20,000 Indians stranded in Ukraine is paramount.

Govt must expedite their evacuation. pic.twitter.com/V1N3KEO0Qp

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 24, 2022

Meanwhile, the Opposition has hit out at the Centre for not making arrangements in time to bring back Indians in Ukraine. The Congress accused the government of "turning away its face" on its nationals in this difficult time.

"Turning away its face in every difficult situation...And remaining silent has become a habit of the Modi government. Our 20,000 Indian youth in Ukraine are forced to grapple with fear, apprehension and life-threatening situations," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

"Why were arrangements not made in time to bring them safely? Is this the 'self-reliant' mission," Surjewala tweeted.