New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with various stakeholders, including community organisations and embassy officials from Hungary among other countries neighbouring Ukraine, for their involvement in Operation Ganga on Tuesday.
During the virtual interaction, he asserted that India has always acted with alacrity to assist its citizens during any international crisis, reported news agency PTI.
PM Modi referred to the age-old philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', and said that the country has also extended humanitarian support to nationals of other countries during emergencies while attaching high priority to the safety of Indians abroad, according to an official statement.
The PM appreciated Indian community leaders, volunteer groups, companies, private individuals and government officials for their tireless efforts towards the success of the operation to evacuate Indians from war-hit Ukraine.
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He praised the patriotic fervour, sense of community service, and team spirit displayed by all stakeholders involved in Operation Ganga.
He especially praised the various community organisations, pointing out that their selfless service exemplifies the Indian civilizational values that they continue to embody even on foreign shores, the PMO said.
The PM recalled his personal interactions with Ukrainian leaders and heads of neighbouring countries while speaking about the efforts put in by his government to ensure safety of Indian nationals. He expressed his gratitude for the support received from all the foreign governments.
According to the PMO, Operation Ganga successfully evacuated about 23000 Indian citizens, as well as 147 foreign nationals belonging to 18 countries, from Ukraine.
During the interaction, representatives of the Indian community and private sector in Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary narrated their experiences of being part of Operation Ganga, the challenges they faced, and expressed their sense of satisfaction and honour at having contributed to such a complex humanitarian operation, the statement added.
The interaction was attended by Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia, Kiren Rijiju, Hardeep Singh Puri and VK Singh among others. Scindia was sent to Romania, Rijiju to the Slovak Republic, Puri to Hungary and Singh to Poland as special envoys to coordinate the evacuation process under Operation Ganga.
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Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a statement in Parliament, saying that despite the challenges posed by the serious ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the government ensured that about 22,500 citizens returned home safely.
The entire exercise involved a 'whole of government' approach with the prime minister himself chairing review meetings, almost on a daily basis, Jaishankar said.