He said that Russia is working to create a "humanitarian corridor" for the safe evacuation of Indian citizens stranded in conflict zones.
NEW DELHI: Russia is working to create a "humanitarian corridor" for the safe evacuation of Indian citizens stranded in conflict zones in eastern Ukraine and will investigate the death of an Indian student in Kharkiv, Russian ambassador-designate Denis Alipov said on Wednesday. To.
Evacuation of some 4,000 Indians stranded in Kharkiv, Sumy and other conflict zones in eastern Ukraine has become a top priority for the Indian government following the death of 21-year-old medical student Naveen Shekharappa Gyangoudar on Tuesday.
Alipov said in a virtual briefing that the Russian side hopes to build humanitarian corridors "as soon as possible" so that Indians in these conflict zones can be moved to Russian territory. He added that the Russian side also intends to stop military operations in Ukraine as soon as possible because the situation is a "tragedy" for both countries.
Alipov offered his "deepest condolences" on Gyangoudar's death and expressed his sympathies to the student's family and the Indian nation. "Russia will do everything possible to ensure the safety of Indians in conflict zones," he said, adding that the death of the Indian student would be investigated.
The Russian side is also in touch and coordinating with India for the safety of the stranded Indian nationals and at the United Nations. "We are in touch with Indian authorities regarding citizens of India in Kharkiv, Sumi and [other] regions," he said.
Alipov said that Russia has received Indian requests for emergency evacuation of Indians stranded in conflict zones to Russian territory, and officials are actively working to launch such a campaign to open humanitarian corridors .
Alipov thanked India for the "fair" and "balanced" position adopted by the country at the United Nations during the recent meetings on the situation in Ukraine. "We are strategic allies with India, we are very grateful for India's balanced position displayed at the United Nations ... and we hope this will continue," he said.
The designated envoy also said that ongoing defense contracts and trade between India and Russia will not be affected by sanctions imposed by the US and its allies as Moscow and Delhi have "established mechanisms of cooperation and transactions that are free from the Western financial system". are free. ,
Alipov said the delivery of five regiments of Russia's S-400 air defense systems would not be affected by the sanctions. The Russian side delivered the first regiment late last year, coinciding with a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi.