Russia Attacks Ukraine | India Wants Peace, No Situation Promoting War Should Arise: Rajnath Singh

Russia Attacks Ukraine: Rajnath Singh said that the Indian government is worried and has made all possible efforts so far.

File Photo: PTI

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said India wants peace to prevail and emphasised that no situation promoting war should arise.

Addressing the concerns over students stranded in Ukraine, he stated that special flights were arranged, however, due to the present situation, the plane sent was not able to land.

"The government is worried and has made all possible efforts. We will continue our efforts to ensure the safety of Indian nationals," the Union Defence Minister stressed.

He also pointed out that several students have been able to return to India because of the rescue flights operated earlier.

When asked about India's stand on the Russian offensive against Ukraine, Rajnath Singh said: "India wants peace to prevail, a resolution should be reached through dialogue. No situation promoting a war should arise."

#WATCH Our government is taking all measures to bring back our citizens including students. India wants peace to prevail and no situation promoting a war should arise: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/KOlQ5t9bdt

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022

Earlier in the day, an Air India plane that took off for Kyiv in Ukraine on Thursday morning returned to Delhi due to the closure of Ukrainian airspace amid the Russian attack.

 Making Alternative Arrangements For Safe Evacuation Of Indians In Ukraine: MoS External Affairs

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Thursday said that India is making alternative arrangements for the safe evacuation of Indians stranded in the Eastern European nation as its airspace was closed.

Amid concerns expressed by the near and dear ones of the people stranded in Ukraine, he said that the Union government will ensure the safety of over 18,000 Indians including students stranded there and 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," the Minister told reporters, as quoted by news agency PTI.

He informed that the details of the mission will be made available soon.

The statements come as opposition accuses the Union government of not making arrangements in time to bring the Indians in Ukraine back.

Congress asked why the Centre had not made arrangements in time to bring 20,000 Indians in Ukraine back home safely despite repeated warnings.

The party's chief spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala, said, "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."

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

हर मुश्किल वक्त में मुँह फेर लेना..
और चुप्पी साध लेना ही मोदी सरकार की आदत बन गयी है ।

हमारे 20,000 भारतीय युवा #Ukraine में भय, आशंका और जीवन पर ख़तरे की स्थिति से जूझने को मजबूर हैं।

समय रहते उन्हें सकुशल लाने का इंतजाम क्यों नहीं किया ? क्या यही 'आत्मनिर्भर' मिशन है ?

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 24, 2022

In a related update, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had a telephonic discussion with UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to exchange perspectives on the Ukrainian situation. 

A telephonic discussion with UK Foreign Secretary @trussliz.

Exchanged perspectives on the Ukrainian situation.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 24, 2022

Notably, the Embassy of India in Ukraine, in its third advisory, asked Indian nationals to head to bomb shelters if they are at places where air sirens or bomb warnings can be heard.

More On It: Russia Attacks Ukraine: Head To Bomb Shelters, India Tells Its Citizens | All Advisories Issued Today