'Ukraine universities discouraged...': Modi govt on Indians' evacuation amid 'delay' allegations | Russia

Amid allegations that the Indian government delayed evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine, foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar commented on the issue.

Jaishankar reportedly blamed mixed signals from universities and Ukraine's political leadership for Indian students staying back till the last moment. The minister reportedly said, "Despite our efforts, however, a large majority of students elected to continue staying in Ukraine. We must understand the predicament in this regard. There was natural reluctance to leave the educational institutions and affect the studies. Some universities actively discourage and showed reluctance to offer online courses. Many of them received conflicting advice regarding safety."

Regarding the Ukrainian government's statements, Jaishankar reportedly said, "Public urgings not to be taken by alarmism and reports of force withdrawal created a confusing picture. The net result was that about 18000 Indian nationals were caught in the midst of conflict when it started."

Before the war broke out on February 24, the Indian government had asked Indian citizens in Ukraine to leave the country if they were not involved in essential activities. Indians in Ukraine had been asked to leave the country via commercial flights, and a cap on the number of passenger planes between India and Ukraine had also been lifted.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, the Indian government launched Operation Ganga to bring back Indian nationals via flights from Ukraine's neighbouring countries.

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