Govt brought 22,500 students stranded in Ukraine home: Jaishankar

expenses were taken care of and arrangements made for the movement of the dead body 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. The Minister also informed about India’s efforts to evacuate foreign nationals in line with the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. “Foreign nationals were also evacuated from conflict zones and brought to India. They included 147 citizens of 18 countries,” he said. Talking about the advisories issued by the Indian Embassy in Ukraine, Jaishankar 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. Further advisories were also given on February 20 and 22. Air bubble instructions then imposed were immediately lifted in consultation with Ukrainian side to increase number of direct flights. Around 4000 Indians departed from Ukraine by direct flights till February 23,” he added. Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge asked why the students did not return, if the government issued all advisories on time. Jaishankar said the government issued clear advisories for Indians to return. “If our advisories were of no use, why did the 4000 students return,” he asked. “Despite our efforts, however, a large majority of students continued staying in Ukraine. There was a natural reluctance to leave the educational institutions and affect their studies. Some universities actively discouraged and showed reluctance to offer online courses,” Jaishankar added. On concerns expressed by members over the careers of evacuated Indian students, the Minister said, “The government will approach the matter with full responsibility.” The Opposition members across party lines appreciated India’s evacuation effort from Ukraine. Responding to BSP’s Satish Mishra, the Minister said that the Indians left in Ukraine are only in “double digits” and not in thousands. He said that he cannot divulge more details about them due to their own safety.