India’s Advice to Citizens to leave Ukraine

February 17, 2022

Recently, India advised its citizen, including students, to leave Ukraine temporarily, amid increasing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Highlights

India has also advised to avoid non-essential travel to and within the country.
In January 2022, Indian envoy at UN put the number of Indian students in Ukraine at 20,000. The number has increased from 18,000 estimated in 2020 by Indian Embassy in Kyiv.
Indian nationals were also requested to keep Embassy informed about status of their presence in Ukraine so that Embassy could reach them where required.

Why was this advice given?

India advice to leave Ukraine, amid concerns that Russia might invade Ukraine. However, Russia denies any invasion plans.

Why is there is concerns of Russia’s invasion?

Because, Russia has amassed more than 130,000 troops near Ukrainian border. United States has warned Russia of severe consequences if there is an invasion.

What countries have asked citizens to leave?

Several have urged their citizens to leave Ukraine, including the US, Germany the UK, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Israel, and Japan. Some countries have already evacuated diplomatic staff and their families.

MEA Control Room to help Indians

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has set up a control room to provide assistance and information to Indians in Ukraine. A 24×7 emergency helpline has also been set up. Furthermore, India is considering to increase number of flights between both the countries.

Russia-Ukraine Crisis

Russia started amassing its military personnel and equipment near its border with Ukraine, in March and April 2021. It is the highest force mobilization since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Troops were partially removed by June 2021 but was renewed in October and November 2021 by amassing more than 100,000 Russian troops.

Background

The ongoing crisis finds its link with protracted Russo-Ukrainian War that started in early 2014. In December 2021, Russia advanced two draft treaties. The treaty comprised of requests of “security guarantees”, including a legally binding promise that Ukraine would not join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It also had a binding promise of reduction in NATO troops and military hardware in Eastern Europe. NATO has rejected these requests by Russia.

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