United Nations/New Delhi,Mar 08,2022: India at the UN Security Council voiced deep concern that despite its repeated urgings to both Russia and Ukraine, the safe corridor for Indian students stranded in Sumy did not materialise.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN TS Tirumurti, in his address at the UNSC briefing on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine on Monday, said India has been consistent in calling for an immediate end to all hostilities.
PM Modi had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin and with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“We have also reiterated our urgent demand for safe and uninterrupted passage for all innocent civilians, including Indian nationals remaining in Ukraine. We are deeply concerned that despite our repeated urgings to both sides, the safe corridor for our students stranded in Sumy did not materialise,” he said.
“And we will remain open to doing so in the coming days,” he said.
He expressed thanks for the assistance rendered by the authorities of Ukraine and its neighbouring countries in facilitating the return of the Indian nationals.
These include medicines, medical equipment, tents, tarpaulin, protective eye gear, water storage tanks, solar lamps, sleeping mats and blankets amongst other relief material.
“We are in the process of identifying other such requirements and sending more supplies,” he added.
Earlier in his address, he said the worsening situation in Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis deserves our immediate and urgent attention.
“As per the UN’s own estimate, 1.5 million refugees have sought shelter in neighbouring countries of Ukraine over the last eleven days. This has led to a pressing humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed expeditiously,” he said.
He said that numerous civilians have lost their lives in the Ukraine crisis, including Indian medical student Naveen Gyanagoudar.
Naveen was shot dead in Kharkiv on March 1 while standing in a queue to buy groceries.
