New Delhi: A group of students who were evacuated from war-hit Ukraine claimed that putting Indian flags in their vehicle helped an easy exit and entry into Romania.
The group also said many Turkish and Pakistani students took advantage of such a situation and made an exit holding Indian flags.
"We were easily given clearance due to the Indian flag; made the flag using a curtain & colour spray… Both Indian flag and Indians were of great help to the Pakistani, Turkish students," said one student after their arrival in Bucharest, Romania.
So far, over 60 per cent of students and stranded Indians have moved out of Ukraine, where the gun and missile fight between Russian and Ukrainian forces have only intensified further.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has landed in Romania and is overseeing the evacuation exercise. After arriving in Bucharest, Scindia held a series of meetings with officials at the airport itself on the evacuation process. He also tweeted that Moldova's borders are open for incoming Indian students.
"Proper shelter and food arrangements will be made. Talks are on to make arrangements for their journey to Bucharest for onward flight to India," the Minister wrote on the microblogging site.
Scindia also met the Indian Ambassador to Romania and Moldova, Rahul Shrivastava, to discuss the operational issues for evacuation and the flight plans from Bucharest and Suceava.
Meanwhile, Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft has been pressed into service for operation between Romania and India on Wednesday early morning to bring back Indian citizens from Ukraine.
"Over the next three days, 26 flights have been scheduled to bring out Indian citizens apart from Bucharest and Budapest. Airports in Poland and Slovak Republic will also be used," said Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla.
