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BIG STORY MARCH 04, 2022 | The Indian Eye 4

russIa-ukraIne war

Modi’s Dilemma

russia’s invasion of ukraine has put India in a particularly difficult spot. India has avoided

taking sides and focused on protecting Indian citizens there. Is this cautious approach
untenable for new delhi and hurt India’s interests?

OuR BuREAu return to the path of diplomatic nego-
tiations.
New Delhi /Kyiv/Washington, DC
According to Prime Minis-
n a tense afternoon on Fri- ter’s Office (PMO), President Putin
day, parents of some students, briefed the Prime Minister about
Ostranded in Ukraine amid the recent developments regarding
Russian military operations urged Ukraine. Prime Minister reiterated
the Indian government to evacuate his long-standing conviction that the
their children from there at the ear- differences between Russia and the
liest. Some parents even reached the NATO group can only be resolved
Russian embassy in New Delhi and through honest and sincere dialogue.
held a demonstration raising concerns “The Prime Minister appealed for
over the ongoing military operations an immediate cessation of violence,
in Ukraine and the safety of children. and called for concerted efforts from
“We request our government that all sides to return to the path of dip-
stranded children should safely be lomatic negotiations and dialogue,”
escorted to borders of Ukraine from PMO said. Prime Minister also sen-
where they can come back. Due to the sitised the Russian President about
current situation, we are yet to figure India’s concerns regarding the safety
out how these students will be brought of the Indian citizens in Ukraine, es-
to the border,” Renu Gupta, mother pecially students, and conveyed that
of a student stranded in Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the 21st annual India attaches the highest priority to
She further said the children do their safe exit and return to India.
not have enough to eat and drink. India-Russia summit in New Delhi in December 2021 (ANI) The leaders agreed that their offi-
“They are serving on whatever they cials and diplomatic teams would con-
were left with and are sharing amongst Pradesh. Republic and Romania to assist the tinue to maintain regular contacts on
themselves,” Renu said. “MEA has established four lo- evacuation of Indian nationals. Ear- issues of topical interest.
Also on Friday, Lok Sabha cations in Hungary, Poland, Slovak lier, Indian Embassy in Kiev issued Moreover, many Indian citizens
Speaker Om Birla has launched a Republic and Romania for evacua- a fresh advisory informing stranded and students are stranded in Ukraine.
helpline number for the Indian stu- tion of Indian citizens. Roughly 1000 Indian citizens that the government The Indian Embassy on Thursday is-
dents stranded in Ukraine. “So far, people from Telangana and Andhra is working to evacuate them through sued a third travel advisory to Indian
more than 100 students and parents Pradesh are in Ukraine. We are com- Romania and Hungary. nationals/students. The Mission asked
from 15 states have contacted this municating with MEA,” said Sharma. As a war rages on inside Ukraine, Indians to be aware of the surround-
helpline,” said the office of Lok Sabha The Government of India will arrange India faces a lot of dilemmas. On one ings, be safe, do not leave homes un-
speaker. Students from Rajasthan, evacuation flights for Indian nationals hand, the Indian government wants less necessary and stress on carrying
West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Ut- in Ukraine, said sources on Friday. to bring back all Indians safely home; their documents at all times.
tar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya The sources further said that the and on the other hand, the govern- On Thursday, Putin said spe-
Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, cost will be completely borne by the ment does not want to upset Moscow cial military operations are being
Bihar etc. have contacted this helpline government for this evacuation. by taking a strong line against the launched “to protect” the people in
till Friday night. “Two flights for Bucharest today Russian military operation. the Donbas region. He also warned
Amid Russian military operations and one flight for Budapest for to- On Thursday, Prime Minister other countries that any attempt to in-
in Ukraine, the Ministry of External morrow are being planned to be op- Narendra Modi held a telephone terfere with the Russian action would
Affairs (MEA) has established four erated as GOI chartered flights,” said conversation with Russian President lead to “consequences”.
locations in Hungary, Poland, Slovak Government sources. Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine situ- Leaders from a number of coun-
Republic and Romania for evacua- On Thursday, MEA had sent ation and appealed for an immediate tries including the UK, the US, Can-
tion of Indian citizens, said Sameer teams to the land borders with cessation of violence while stressing ada, and the European Union have
Sharma, Chief Secretary of Andhra Ukraine in Hungary, Poland, Slovak on concerted efforts from all sides to Continued at next page... >>

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