In talks with European leaders, Modi expresses anguish over Ukraine scenario; Indian scholar injured in Kharkiv firing

By PTI

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to a number of European leaders over the Ukraine disaster on Tuesday and expressed his anguish over the deteriorating scenario and the humanitarian disaster within the war-hit nation, whereas reiterating India’s enchantment for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue, the PMO mentioned.

Modi spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish President Andrzej Duda and European Council President Charles Michel amid a worsening scenario in Ukraine because the Russian forces moved deeper into the nation.

An Indian scholar additionally misplaced his life in shelling throughout the Russian advance.

Modi and Macron shared their issues over the persevering with hostilities and the deteriorating humanitarian scenario in Ukraine.

Modi welcomed the talks between Ukraine and Russia, and pressured upon the significance of guaranteeing free and uninterrupted humanitarian entry and clean motion of all individuals.

In his feedback, the prime minister reiterated India’s constant enchantment for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

He pressured India’s perception that respect for worldwide regulation, the UN Charter and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all international locations underpin the up to date world order, the PMO mentioned.

Modi additionally briefed Macron on India’s efforts to evacuate its residents from the battle areas and ship pressing aid provides, together with medicines, for the affected populations.

In his talks with Duda, Modi thanked him for the help offered by Poland within the evacuation of Indian residents from Ukraine and for the particular gesture of stress-free the visa requirement for the Indian residents crossing over to the nation from Ukraine.

He expressed his specific appreciation for the nice and cozy reception and facilitation prolonged by Polish residents to the Indian nationals at this troublesome time, the PMO mentioned.

Alluding to the normal pleasant relations between the 2 international locations, Modi recalled the help supplied by Poland within the wake of the Gujarat earthquake in 2001.

He additionally recollected the exemplary function performed by the Maharaja of Jamnagar in rescuing a number of Polish households and younger orphans throughout the Second World War, the PMO mentioned.

Modi additionally knowledgeable Duda that Union minister V Okay Singh can be stationed in Poland as his particular envoy to supervise the evacuation efforts of Indian residents.

“The Prime Minister reiterated India’s consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue. He stressed upon the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations,” the PMO mentioned.

In his talks with the European Council president, Modi expressed anguish over the deteriorating scenario and the humanitarian disaster in Ukraine.

He reiterated India’s enchantment for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue.

“The Prime Minister stressed that the contemporary global order was anchored on international law, UN Charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states. He welcomed the talks between the two parties and stressed upon the importance of ensuring free and uninterrupted humanitarian access and smooth movement of all people,” the PMO mentioned.

Modi additionally spoke concerning the efforts being made by India to ship pressing aid provides, together with medicines, to the affected areas.

One scholar from Karnataka was injured in shelling in Kharkiv in Ukraine, that left a medical scholar from the state useless, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai mentioned on Tuesday.

He had accompanied Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, who died within the shelling.

“Two more students from Chalageri village in Ranebennur Taluk in Haveri district were also there. One is injured while the other is safe,” Bommai informed reporters.

He added that he spoke to Naveen father’s Shekarappa Gyanagouda and expressed his grief.

Bommai mentioned his concern is to deliver Naveen’s physique to India.

“We have not yet receive any information what the condition of the body is. I have spoken to the PMO and made a request. I have also sent a message to the Prime Minister to bring the body from Ukraine. Our officials are in touch with the Embassy officials in Ukraine,” the Chief Minister mentioned.

Following the incident, India requested the envoys of each Russia and Ukraine to make sure “urgent safe passage” to Indian nationals who’re nonetheless in Kharkiv and different battle zones.

“With profound sorrow we confirm that an Indian student lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv this morning,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi mentioned on Twitter at 2:58 pm.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla mentioned the deceased scholar was recognized and the physique was taken to a morgue within the college, including that Indian authorities are in contact with the native administration in Kharkiv to deliver again the mortal stays.

According to Naveen’s associates, he had gone out to purchase groceries and was standing in a queue at a store when he was hit, Shringla mentioned, including that the circumstances are usually not completely clear.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level assembly within the night, the place the evacuation course of was reviewed.

“The assembly started with an expression of deep remorse and condolences on the tragic dying of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, an Indian scholar who was finding out on the Kharkiv National Medical University and who died earlier right this moment.

The prime minister conveyed his deep anguish on the lack of the lifetime of the Indian nationwide,” Shringla mentioned at a media briefing.

Naveen’s uncle Ujjanagouda mentioned the medical scholar was killed when he stepped out of his bunker to change forex and fetch some meals.

President of the European Council Charles Michel spoke to Modi and expressed disappointment over the dying of the Indian scholar.

He mentioned European international locations are wholeheartedly serving to within the evacuation of Indian residents from Ukraine.

The Ukrainian and Russian ambassadors had been known as into the MEA and had been conveyed to make sure the protection of the Indians stranded in Ukraine.

The MEA mentioned India has reiterated its demand for “urgent safe passage” to the Indian nationals who’re nonetheless in Kharkiv and different cities.

“Similar action is also being undertaken by our ambassadors in Russia and Ukraine,” Bagchi mentioned.

Kharkiv is witnessing intense preventing between the Ukrainian troops and the Russian forces.

Earlier within the day, the Indian embassy in Ukraine requested the Indians stranded in Kyiv to depart the Ukrainian capital urgently.

In an advisory, it requested the residents to depart Kyiv by trains or every other means.

“All Indian nationals including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today. Preferably by available trains or through any other means available,” the embassy mentioned.

The advisory got here amid rising preventing between the Russian forces and the Ukrainian troops round Kyiv.

Official sources mentioned the deteriorating scenario in Kharkiv is a matter of grave concern and that the protection and safety of the Indian nationals within the metropolis is of utmost precedence for the federal government.

They mentioned India has already taken up with the Russian and Ukrainian embassies the “pressing” requirement of secure passage to Indian nationals, together with college students, from Kharkiv and different cities in battle zones.

“This demand has been repeatedly made from Russia and Ukraine because the starting of this battle on February 24.

It has been conveyed to each their ambassadors in New Delhi in addition to taken up of their capitals,” mentioned a supply.

Sources mentioned the preparations for the evacuation of Indians from the Indian authorities’s facet have been in place for a while 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,” a supply mentioned.

“Therefore, it is imperative that Russia and Ukraine respond to our need for safe passage urgently,” the supply added.

The sources mentioned in locations the place the battle has not endangered motion, Indian authorities have been in a position to evacuate the residents.

They mentioned India will proceed to make utmost efforts to make sure the return of its residents stranded in Ukraine.

Union minister Hardeep Puri is heading to Hungary, Jyotiraditya Scindia will oversee the evacuation course of in Romania and Moldova, Kiren Rijiju is travelling to Slovakia and General (retd) V Okay Singh will supervise the evacuation course of alongside the transit factors with Poland.