Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone on Monday, 7 March, urging safe evacuation of Indian students stuck in Sumy, Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
Appreciating the announcement of ceasefire and establishment of humanitarian corridors in parts of Ukraine, Modi also urged Putin to hold direct talks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in addition to the ongoing negations between the two countries.
"President Putin briefed Prime Minister Modi on the status of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian teams," read the PMO statement.
According to a Kremlin statement, Putin stated that Indian students were held by radicals in Kharkov and only managed to leave the city after strong international pressure on the Kiev authorities.
Russian military personnel, according to the statement, are making every effort to ensure the evacuation of the Indian citizens from Sumy. The statement adds that Putin also outlined his assessments of the course of negotiations between the Russian delegation and the Ukrainian representatives, the third round of which is scheduled to be held on 7 March.
Earlier on Monday, Modi also spoke to Zelenskyy, where he thanked him for the help extended by Ukraine in the evacuation of Indian nationals.
Later, Zelenskyy tweeted about the same and said, "Informed Indian PM Modi about Ukraine countering Russian aggression. India appreciates the assistance to its citizens during the war and Ukraine's commitment to direct peaceful dialogue at the highest level. Grateful for the support to the Ukrainian people."
The two leaders further discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine, with the call lasting for about 35 minutes, as per the sources quoted by ANI.
Stranded Students in Sumy
Modi also sought continued support from the Ukraine government in ongoing efforts for the evacuation of Indian nationals from Sumy. This comes hours after the Indian embassy asked Indian students stranded at a medical college hostel in Ukraine’s Sumy, to "be ready to leave on short notice".
Sumy, about 350 km east of capital city Kyiv and 180 km northwest of Kharkiv, has about 700 Indians waiting to be evacuated, mostly students of medical colleges at Sumy State University.
Modi is also scheduled to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. Since the launch of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine on 24 February, Modi has spoken to both the leaders twice.
The evacuation of Indian students is likely to be top of the agenda during Modi’s calls with Putin as well.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told ANI on late Sunday night that four buses were on their way to Poltava to evacuate Indians stranded in Sumy.
India has so far brought back over 15,920 Indian nationals in 76 flights under mission "Operation Ganga" which was launched on 26 February.
Indian Student Shot at in Kyiv, Crosses Poland Border, Escorted to IAF Aircraft
Harjot Singh, an Indian national who sustained multiple bullet injuries in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, entered Poland on Monday and was later escorted to Indian Air Force's special aircraft, which will bring him and other Indians back to India from Poland.
The news of Singh being shot came after two students of Indian nationality died in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Russian military has announced a ceasefire in Kyiv, Kharkov, Sumy, and Mariupol for the evacuation of civilians, Russian media outlet Sputnik reported.
The report added that French President Emmanuel Macron had requested the ceasefire for humanitarian purposes.
(With inputs from ANI and Sputnik.)
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