Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Govt Looks At Increasing Flights, Sets Up Control Room | Top Points

Indian embassy in Ukraine advised Indian citizens, especially the students, to temporarily leave that country in view of the uncertainties of the current situation.

(Representative Image/Getty)

New Delhi: The Indian government is closely monitoring the prevailing situation in Ukraine over its tensions with Russia and fear of an invasion with massive military build-up near Ukrainian borders.

According to official data quoted by news agency PTI, Ukraine had a small but vibrant Indian community and there were around 18,000 Indian students in the country in 2020. This data is likely to vary as several Indian students fled back to India during the Covid pandemic. 

On Tuesday, the Indian embassy in Ukraine advised Indian citizens, especially the students, to temporarily leave that country in view of the uncertainties of the current situation.

Over the last few days, the Government of India has taken series of steps in order to bring back Indians stranded in Ukraine and provide them with all possible assistance.

Russia Ukraine Crisis | Look At Actions Taken By Indian Govt

1. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday set up a control room in Delhi to provide information and assistance to Indian nationals in Ukraine.

2. In addition, the Indian embassy in Ukraine has also set up a 24-hour helpline for the Indians in the eastern European nation.

The contact details of the control room in Delhi are: Phone +91 11 23012113, +91 11 23014104, +91 11 23017905 and 1800118797 (toll free). Email: situationroom@mea.gov.in.

The contact details of the helpline in the Indian embassy in Ukraine are: Phone, +380 997300428 +380 997300483, Email: cons1.kyiv@mea.gov.in.

3. The government has also advised Indian citizens, especially the students, to temporarily leave that country. It has even asked Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine.

4. Indian embassy in Kyiv said it has been receiving calls about the non-availability of flights from Ukraine to India and advised Indians not to panic, but book the earliest available and convenient flights to travel home.

5. Meanwhile, sources close to news agency PTI have said that the government is exploring the possibility of increasing the number of flights between India and Ukraine to facilitate the return of Indians from that country.

6. A recent report indicated that around 25 students from Madhya Pradesh's Indore are stuck in Ukraine and their family members have urged the Centre to help them bring home safely at the earliest.

7. Meanwhile, a Parliamentary Committee is likely to discuss the issue of return of Indians from Ukraine with top officials of the civil aviation ministry, sources informed PTI.

8. All visa and consular services are available as the Indian Embassy in Kyiv continues to function normally to provide all assistance to Indian nationals in Ukraine.

9. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in discussion with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and various airlines for expanding flights between Ukraine and India. Currently, Ukrainian International Airlines, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai and Qatar Airways are operating flights at present from Ukraine.

10. For Indian students not sure if their classes would continue in online mode in Ukraine, Indian Embassy said that it is engaging with concerned Ukrainian authorities for appropriate regularisation of education process. 

(With inputs from agencies)