Russia-Ukraine Row: India sets up control room, 24*7 helpline to assist Indians in Ukraine
In view of the prevailing situation in Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs has set up a Control Room to provide information and assistance to Indians in Ukraine.
Additionally, Indian Embassy in Ukraine has set up a 24*7 Emergency Helpline to assist Indians in Ukraine, informed the Ministry of External Affairs.
Amid ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine which has kept the world on tenterhooks (with West warning that an invasion by Russia could be imminent), many countries have asked their citizen to leave Ukraine fearing growing uncertainties in the region. However, the Ukrainian Ambassador to India, Igor Polikha during an interview with Indian Media appreciating India’s balanced position (that Indians ‘may consider’ leaving Ukraine temporarily unlike some embassies urging their citizens to leave Ukraine immediately), said that there is no threat to Indian nationals in the country and there is no reason to panic.
“Taking into account active negotiations that are underway, I don’t see any immediate reason for a massive evacuation of Indian students in Ukraine. They should monitor the situation but should not panic,” the Ukrainian Ambassador said during his discussion with Indian Media.
The statement by the Ukrainian Ambassador came after Indian Embassy in Kyiv issued a travel advisory for its nationals, particularly students whose stay is not necessary, to leave Ukraine temporarily.
“Indian nationals are requested to keep the Embassy informed about the status of their presence in Ukraine to enable the embassy to reach them where required,” the new travel advisory stated.
The Embassy further called on Indian nationals to exercise caution and avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine amidst the growing uncertainties in the region.
Currently, around 20,000 students are studying in different parts of Ukraine.
Ukraine-Russia Crisis: India’s stand on the ongoing crisis
Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal during a discussion with DD India said that as stated by India’s Permanent Representative to UN, Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti in UNSC, India’s stand on the ongoing rift is very clear and seeks for finding a solution that can provide for immediate de-escalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries.
Earlier, speaking at a UNSC briefing, stating India’s stand, Indian Ambassador to UN, T.S. Tirumurti said, “India’s interest is in finding a solution that can provide for immediate de-escalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries and aimed towards securing long term peace and stability in the region and beyond,” Ambassador Tirumurti added.
During a discussion, the former Foreign Secretary talked of India’s relationship with Russia he said, “The relationship with Russia is very vital and if that collapses we will be in a huge suit. Also need Russia in order to maintain a trilateral balance between India, Russia, and China.”
Russia says their troops are leaving Crimea after completion of military drills
A day after Moscow announced that some of its military units were returning to their base after exercise near Ukraine, Russia on Wednesday, February 16, said military drills in Moscow- annexed Crimea had ended.
Responding to the Feb. 15 development, earlier Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba taking to the microblogging site said, “On Russian statements regarding withdrawal of some forces from the Ukrainian border. We in Ukraine have a rule: we don’t believe what we hear, we believe what we see. If a real withdrawal follows these statements, we will believe in the beginning of a real de-escalation.”
Control Room Details:
The contact details of the control room shared by Ministry are as under:
Phone: 1800118797 (Toll free)
+91-11-23012113
+91-11-23014104
+91-11-23017905
Fax: +91-11-23088124
Email: [email protected]
