'Will help stranded neighbours too', says PM Modi; speaks to Romanian, Slovak counterparts, thanks them for rescue assistance

4 ministers to lead evacuations from Ukraine; PM chairs two high-level meetings on Ukraine, three within 24 hours

Tribune News Service

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 28

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired two high-level meetings on the Ukraine crisis deputing four union ministers Hardeep Puri, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Kiren Rijiju and VK Singh to lead the evacuation of stranded Indians from the war-hit country and pledging support to nationals of even the neighbouring and developing nations should they seek help.

Civil Aviation Minister Scindia will coordinate rescue operations in Romania and Moldova; Law Minister Rijiju will go to Slovakia; Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Puri will travel to Hungary and MoS Aviation and former Army chief VK Singh to Poland.

The PM later spoke to counterparts in Romania and Slovak Republic—Nicolae Ionel Ciuca and Eduard Heger—to thank them for the assistance in the ongoing evacuation efforts and inform them about the arrival of his special envoys, the union ministers, for coordination of the rescue plan.

The PM also expressed anguish at the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and reiterated India’s consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue. He further stressed upon respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.

The decision to depute union ministers was taken in the morning at a stock taking meeting chaired by the PM who said the entire government machinery was working round the clock to ensure that all Indians there are safe and secure.

The PM pointed out that the visit of senior ministers as his Special Envoys to various nations would energize evacuation efforts and was reflective of the priority the Government attached to this matter.

At the evening stock taking, a third in 24 hours, the PM cited the philosophy of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam (the world is one family) and said, “India will help people from the neighbouring countries and developing countries who are stranded in Ukraine and may seek assistance.”

PM Modi further noted that the first consignment of relief supplies to Ukraine to deal with the humanitarian situation on Ukraine’s borders would be despatched tomorrow, an official statement said.

Earlier today, the PM spoke personally to four ministers assigned rescue responsibilities. It is learnt that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval also briefed the PM him on the overall security situation.

“All hands are on the deck,” government sources said after the PM chaired the morning meeting attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and other top ranking government officials.

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