Why are Ukraine-based Indian students being asked to leave the country?
On 15th February, the Indian Government issued an advisory through the Indian embassy in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, addressing Indian citizens, especially students, to leave Ukraine temporarily if their stay is not essential. Currently, there are more than 20,000 Indians in Ukraine, including some 18,000 students. Majority of them are medical students.
Why did the Indian Embassy issue such an advisory?
The Indian Embassy has issued the advisory to keep Indian nationals residing in Kyiv safe amidst concerns surrounding the possibility of Russia invading the Ukrainian capital anytime soon. Although the Russian government has denied all allegations, media reports suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin has deployed armed forces including 1,30,000 troops around the Ukrainian border.
Will the students be able to fly back?
The tension among Indians, including students enrolled in Ukrainian educational institutes and medical colleges, is mounting. According to them, the Indian government should have taken the necessary actions much earlier. According to several media reports, the chance of Indian students getting back to the country is quite bleak due to the non-availability and high price of flight tickets.
What is the Indian embassy’s contingency plan?
As part of the Indian embassy’s contingency plan, it has been gathering information about all Indian nationals present in Ukraine and has even asked them to register themselves on the Indian embassy official website, through a Google form that was circulated earlier this week. This is being done to gather data about the correct number of Indian individuals currently staying in Ukraine. This contingency plan will also help to prepare any emergency evacuation plan, as and when absolutely needed.
Which are the other countries to have taken similar steps?
Apart from India, many other countries have urged their citizens based in Ukraine to leave the country as soon as possible as Russian invasion of Ukraine seems to be imminent. Countries like the US, UK, Germany, Australia, Italy, Israel, Netherlands and Japan have asked their people to leave Ukraine at the earliest. Some countries have even evacuated diplomatic personnel and their families. The American government has however kept limited number of consulates open in Ukrainian soil to keep communications open with their government and provide them with assistance, if necessary.