On the evacuation of Indians from Ukraine, we are making progress, says EAM Jaishankar

The Ministry of External Affairs and the Centre are working out evacuation plans also in coordination with Hungarian authorities. The students have been advised to remain in touch with student contractors for orderly movement.

New Delhi: The first flight to Mumbai with 219 Indian nationals has taken off from Romania, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said on Saturday (February 26).

In a tweet, he wrote, "Regarding evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine, we are making progress." He further said the MEA teams are working round the clock to help evacuate stranded Indians. "I am personally monitoring," he tweeted.

Under the supervision of senior officials and smooth coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, various officials have swung into action in helping to evacuate Indians from war-hit Ukraine.

According to an official source, the Government of India is organizing evacuation flights for Indians in Ukraine. "Cost will be completely borne by the Govt of India for this evacuation," it said.

"We have set up three teams for exit out of western Ukraine, including one in Lviv. Poland government is doing a lot to provide easy transit into Poland to stranded people of all nationalities," said Indian envoy to Poland, Nagma Mallick.

The MEA camp offices are now operational in Lviv and Chernivtsi towns in western Ukraine. Additional Russian speaking officials are being sent to these camp offices, sources said in Delhi. Officials there assist Indian citizens who reach these cities and facilitate their departure from Ukraine through adjoining border crossings.

"First batch of Indian students have left Chernivtsi for the Ukraine/ Romania border as well," a source said.

The Ministry of External Affairs and the Centre are working out evacuation plans also in coordination with Hungarian authorities. The students have been advised to remain in touch with student contractors for orderly movement.

"In this difficult situation, the Embassy of India, Ukraine requests Indians to continue to remain strong, safe and alert," an official statement said.

Teams have started working at the Chop-Zahony Hungarian border near Uzhhorod and Porubne-Siret Romanian border near Chernivtsi.

"The first batch of evacuees from Ukraine reach Romania via the Suceava border crossing. Our team at Suceava will now facilitate travel to Bucharest for their onward journey to India," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted along with video footage.