Sumy evacuation happened due to personal intervention of PM Modi with Presidents of Ukraine & Russia: Jaishankar

New Delhi, Mar 15: “Despite the challenges posed by the serious ongoing conflict, we have ensured that about 22,500 citizens have returned home safely,” External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha. He shared the details of Operation Ganga in the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Budget Session of the Parliament. The minister said, “At the direction of the Prime Minister, we launched Operation Ganga, thereby undertaking one of the most challenging evacuation exercises during an ongoing conflict situation.” He also said that Indians were dispersed across Ukraine, posing logistical challenges for the government.

 

 

 

"The evacuation program was undertaken at a time when military actions, including airstrikes & shelling, were underway. It involved movement in a war-torn situation in a large country, at times over a 1000 kms & required exiting border checkpoints clogged by an estimated 26 lakh refugees," he added. Jaishankar informed that the Operation Ganga was being monitored by PM Modi on daily basis. "Entire exercise involved a whole of Govt approach, with PM himself chairing review meetings almost on a daily basis. At MEA, we monitored evacuation ops on a 24/7 basis. We got excellent support from all concerned ministries & orgs, incl MoCA, Defence, NDRF, IAF,pvt airlines," he said.

 

As tensions increased, Indian Embassy in Ukraine started a registration drive for Indians in January 2022. "As a result, around 20,000 Indians registered. Most Indian nationals were students pursuing medical studies in Ukrainian universities dispersed throughout the country. More than half the students were in universities in eastern Ukraine that borders Russia&has been epicentre of conflict so far. Students hail from 35 states/UTs of India with over 1000 students each from Kerala, UP, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar & Rajasthan," he informed.

 

 

"Despite our efforts, however, a large majority of students elected to continue staying in Ukraine. There was a natural reluctance to leave educational institutions & affect their studies. Some universities actively discouraged & showed reluctance to offer online courses. Around 4000 Indians departed from Ukraine by direct/indirect flights till 23rd Feb," he added. Under Operation Ganga, 90 flights have been operated out of which 76 were civilian flights & 14 were IAF flights. The evacuation flights were from Romania, Poland, Hungary & Slovakia. While IAF rose to the occasion, most of the private airlines also participated enthusiastically, he said.

 

 

Jaishankar also informed that such evacuation was possible after PM Modi took up the matter with RUssian and Ukrainian Presidents. "PM Modi spoke to Pres of Russia&Ukraine on multiple occasions. He took up issue of safe evacuation of Indians, especially from Kharkiv&Sumy. PM spoke to PMs of Romania, Slovak Republic, Hungary&Pres of Poland to seek support for facilitation of entry of Indians to their countries," he said. He emphasised that "Sumy evacuation was extremely complex" as Indian students faced the prospect of being caught in crossfire. "Their evacuation from the city needed a credible ceasefire. This finally materialized due to the personal intervention of PM himself with the Presidents of Ukraine & Russia," he said

 

India has also evacuated foreign nationals under Operation Ganga. "In line with India's principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, foreign nationals were also evacuated from conflict zones & brought to India. They included 147 citizens of 18 countries. Many Ukrainian nationals that are family members of Indian nationals have also been evacuated," he said.

 

 

Speaking of the Naveen, who died during the Ukraine crisis, he said, "At Kharkiv, Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudarm, a final year medical student of Kharkiv Medical University lost his life. We deeply mourn his untimely demise. Our Embassy in Ukraine is diligently pursuing the repatriation of his mortal remains to India." He also gave details about another Indian - Harjot Singh suffered bullet injuries on his way out in Kyiv. "His medical expenses were taken care of&arrangements made for movement from Kyiv to Polish border. He was brought back in IAF flight to India accompanied by a doctor arranged by our Mission in Poland," he said.