News Delhi: A humanitarian corridor for the safe evacuation of Indian students stranded in Ukraine’s Sumy had not been opened despite its repeated urgings to both Russia and Ukraine, said India’s Permanent Representative to the UN TS Tirumurti at UN Security Council meeting on Monday.
He said, “We’ve reiterated our urgent demand for safe passage for all civilians, including Indians. We’re deeply concerned that despite our repeated urgings to both sides, a safe corridor for our students in Sumy didn’t materialise.”
TS Tirumurti added, “India has been consistent in calling for an immediate end to all hostilities. Our PM once again spoke to the leadership of both sides and reiterated our call for an immediate ceasefire and the need for both parties to return to the path of dialogue.”
Speaking on India’s evacuation operation, TS Tirumurti said that India had managed to facilitate the return of over 20,000 Indians from Ukraine and also assisted nationals from other countries. He said India would continue to do so in the coming days.
“More than 80 evacuation flights have been crisscrossing the skies to bring Indians home. We’re appreciative of the assistance rendered by authorities of Ukraine and its neighbouring countries in facilitating their return,” he added.
At the UN Security Council meeting, India’s Ambassador TS Tirumurti also pointed out that India had sent humanitarian supplies to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. “These include medicines, tents, water storage tanks among other relief materials. We’re in the process of identifying other requirements and sending them,” he said.”The UNSC meeting on Monday was called to discuss the humanitarian crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to both Ukraine President Zelenskyy and Russia’s President Putin over the phone. During his conversations, he brought up the issue of safe evacuation for Indian students stuck in war-torn Ukraine’s Sumy.
About 700 Indians, mostly students of medical colleges at Sumy State University, are stranded in the city in Ukraine’s northeast at present.
