PM Modi Speaks To Russian President Putin, Discusses Safe Evacuation Of Indians

PM Modi discussed the issue of safe evacuation of Indians from war-torn Ukraine during his call with Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) (Getty Images)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and discussed the issue of safe evacuation of Indians from war-torn Ukraine. This was the second conversation between Modi and Putin within a week on the Ukraine conflict.

"The leaders reviewed the situation in Ukraine, especially in Kharkiv where many Indian students are stuck. They discussed the safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from the conflict areas," ANI reported.

The phone call came on a day PM Modi assured the country that the government would leave no stone unturned for the safe return of all Indians stranded in Ukriane, which has come under heavy shelling from Russian forces.

On Tuesday, Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, a fourth-year medical student at the Kharkiv National Medical University, was killed in intense shelling in Ukraine's Kharkiv.

PM Modi has held a series of meetings since Sunday to take stock of India's efforts to safely bring back its nationals, asserting that it was his government's top priority.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said nearly 17,000 Indian nationals had left Ukraine borders since advisories were issued. 

"During the last 24 hours, 6 flights have landed in India, taking the total number of flights that have landed in India to 15 and the total number of Indians who have returned on these flights to 3,352," Bagchi said. He said 15 flights were scheduled over the next 24 hours.

READ | Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Second Indian Student Dies In Ukraine, Suffers Stroke

Earlier in the day, the Indian embassy in Ukraine asked all Indian nationals to leave Kharkiv immediately to safe zones or further westwards. The External Affairs Ministry has assured that every Indian citizen would be brought back from Ukraine.

During his earlier conversation with Putin on February 24, PM Modi appealed for immediate cessation of violence as well as concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations.

PM Modi also told the Russian President about India's concerns regarding the safety of the Indian citizens in Ukraine.