15-20 Indians need to depart Ukraine, being offered all assist: MEA

By PTI

NEW DELHI: There are 15-20 Indians in war-hit Ukraine who need to depart and are being offered all assist, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) mentioned on Thursday, asserting that “Operation Ganga” continues to be on.

At a media briefing right here, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi mentioned it’s a warfare scenario however “we will keep doing what we can to evacuate those who want to come”.

“Till about three days ago, there were about 50 Indians who were there. Our assessment is that there are 15-20 people who want to leave that country, the others who are there do not want to leave right now. We are providing as much help as possible to them,” Bagchi mentioned.

Noting that over 22,500 Indians have been introduced again from the east European nation, he mentioned there are individuals in remoted pockets and “this is an evolving situation”. “We are in contact with all the Indians who are there,” he added. The Indian embassy is offering as a lot assist as doable to them, Bagchi mentioned.

Asked concerning the three Indians stranded in Ukraine’s southern area of Kherson, he mentioned the main target is to evacuate them and any route may very well be taken. “Many people have said ‘Operation Ganga’ has come to an end. It is not so. Those who want to be evacuated, we are helping them through our embassy operating from Warsaw (in Poland),” the MEA spokesperson mentioned.