Indian students in Ukraine say tickets to India are scarce and really expensive.
New Delhi:
On a day when India advised Ukrainian citizens to temporarily leave that country amid rising tensions over Russia’s military buildup on the border, Indian students studying in the country spoke to with NDTV about the challenges of complying with the directive.
“The situation is really tense. Some students have booked flights but the flights are cancelled,” said Harsh Goyal, a student in Ukraine.
“The Indian government has asked students to leave but the price is really high. Some students here can’t afford it. How will the government ensure their safety?” he say.
“We are constantly in contact with the embassy through emails and calls. They say that you are all safe here. If something happens, they will evacuate us,” Mr. Goyal added. .
Ashish Giri, another student from the Eastern European country, said, “Our family is very worried… No more tickets until February 20th. Most of the tickets are already booked and the tickets are empty, too expensive. we can’t afford it. (them).”
In an advisory on Tuesday, the Indian embassy in the capital Kyiv asked Indian citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine.
“Due to the uncertainties of the current situation in Ukraine, Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students with non-essential stays, may consider leaving temporarily,” the announcement said.
“Indians are also advised to avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine,” the embassy said.
The number of Indians living in Ukraine is not immediately known. According to an official document in 2020, Ukraine has a relatively small Indian community and about 18,000 Indian students are studying in that country. Data may change due to pandemic.
In its advisory, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine also asked Indian nationals to inform them of their status so that the mission could contact them when necessary.
“Indian nationals are required to inform the Embassy of the status of their presence in Ukraine so that the Embassy can reach them upon request,” the embassy said.
It said the mission continues to operate normally to provide all services to Indian citizens in Ukraine.
The United States and its Western allies have heavily criticized Russia for its continued buildup of forces near the Ukrainian border.
The US has sent more troops to Europe to support its allies amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russia has deployed about 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine in addition to sending warships to the Black Sea for naval exercises, raising concerns among NATO countries about a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russia has denied that it plans to invade Ukraine.
