Imperative that Russia, Ukraine provide safe passage to Indian nationals urgently

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) As an Indian student was killed in shelling on Tuesday in Kharkiv, sources voiced grave concern at the deteriorating situation in the eastern Ukrainian city and stressed that it is “imperative” for Russia and Ukraine to respond to India’s need for safe passage to Indian nationals urgently. The sources said that the safety and security of Indian nationals in Kharkiv city is of utmost priority to the Government. “We had already taken up with the Russian and Ukrainian Embassies the pressing requirement of safe passage for Indian nationals, including students, from Kharkiv and other cities in conflict zones,” the sources added. “This demand has been repeatedly made of Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of this conflict on February 24. “It has been conveyed to both their Ambassadors in New Delhi as well as taken up in their capitals.” From the Indian side, the preparations for evacuation have been in place for some time now. An Indian team has been positioned in the Russian city of Belgorod, close to the Ukrainian border. However, the conflict situation in and around Kharkiv and nearby cities has been an obstacle, the sources said. Therefore, it is imperative that Russia and Ukraine respond to our need for safe passage urgently. In places where the conflict has not endangered movement, we have been able to evacuate our citizens. More than 9,000 Indian nationals have been brought out of Ukraine while a considerable number are now in safer areas. We will continue to make utmost efforts to ensure the return our citizens stranded in Ukraine; the sources added. The dead student, identified as Naveen SG, hailed from Chalageri in Karnataka. The MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the ministry is in touch with his family, and that Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla is calling up the ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate India’s demand for urgent safe passage for Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and cities in other conflict zones. The Indian ambassadors in Russia and Ukraine are also reaching out to the respective administrations. The student was killed in shelling when he was standing with a few others to get food near the Governor House when it was attacked.