Centre has taken steps to evacuate Indians in Ukraine: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken steps to evacuate 18,000 Indians from Ukraine, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters, the Union government's aim is to ensure the safety of Indian nationals, including students, in Ukraine, Asian News International reported.

Muraleedharan said India tried to evacuate through the flight, but the closure happened. But the government was looking for alternative measures and decided to employ more diplomats to help in the Indian embassy, he added.

Further, he said that he had talked to Malayali students on the phone, and they had informed him that they were getting food, water and power. Parents need not panic, he added.

After the shutdown of Ukrainian airspace, the Indian embassy in Kyiv has announced alternative arrangements for the evacuation of Indians. Indian Ambassador to Ukraine released a statement mentioning the closure of airspace as well as uncertainty in railway schedules and clogged roads. Ambassador Partha Satpathy requested Indians to stay calm and face the situation with courage. He added that the embassy remains open and operational in the Ukraine capital.

Meanwhile, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, told ANI that there are 24,000 students from India, whereas 2,300 are from Kerala who is stuck in Ukraine, and he has received messages for intervention. Since airspace is closed, there is no practical way to fly them back to the country.

Leaders of prominent countries, including the UK, the US, Canada and the European Union, have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.