India presses for immediate ceasefire

New Delhi, March 5: India on Saturday “strongly pressed” the Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire in Sumy to ensure a safe passage for around 700 Indian students stuck there as it keeps focus on their evacuation from the war-hit city in eastern Ukraine.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India’s main focus is now on evacuating the students from Sumy, and that the safe exit of Indians from Kharkiv and Pisochyn is almost complete. Amid growing concerns over the well being of Indian students in Sumy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called another high-level meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine and India’s evacuation efforts, official sources said.
“We are deeply concerned about Indian students in Sumy, Ukraine. Have strongly pressed Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor for our students,” Bagchi said.
“Have advised our students to take safety precautions, stay inside shelters and avoid unnecessary risks,” he said on Twitter.
Bagchi also said the main challenge remains the ongoing shelling and violence in Sumy and lack of transportation.
In a message, the Indian envoy to Ukraine Partha Satpathy said no stone will be left unturned for the safe evacuation of Indian students from Sumy city as he hailed the unparalleled strength and fortitude displayed by the young citizens in dealing with the adversities.
Satpathy came out with the message hours after the Indian students in Sumy posted videos saying they have decided to leave for the Russian border and that the Indian government and the embassy in Ukraine will be responsible if anything happens to them.
In the last few days, the students have been sending SOS messages and posting videos on social media, pleading for their urgent evacuation from the conflict zone as the city has been witnessing air strikes. (PTI)