Modi speaks to Putin over students in Sumy

Harjot Singh, who was shot at in Ukraine, enters Poland in an ambulance on Monday. Pic/ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin during which he conveyed his "deep concern" over the safety and security of the Indian students stuck in Ukraine's Sumy city and sought their evacuation at the earliest.

During the 50-minute telephonic conversation, Modi also suggested that a direct conversation between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may greatly assist the ongoing peace efforts.

Official sources said Modi stressed the importance of safe evacuation of Indian citizens from Sumy at the earliest and that Putin assured him of all possible cooperation to safely get them out of the northeastern Ukrainian city.

Around 700 Indian students are stranded in Sumy amid intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops.

"Prime Minister Modi conveyed his deep concern for the safety and security of the Indian students still remaining in Sumy," the PMO said in a statement.

Zelenskyy thanks India for continued support

Meanwhile, PM Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a discussion over the crisis. "Informed Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi about Ukraine countering Russian aggression," President Zelenskyy tweeted after his telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Modi that lasted for around 35 minutes.

"India appreciates the assistance to its citizens during the war and Ukraine's commitment to direct peaceful dialogue at the highest level. Grateful for the support to the Ukrainian people. #StopRussia," Zelenskyy added.

Meanwhile, the students in Sumy said they see no ‘ray of hope'.

1,314
No. of Indians brought home on Monday

‘Can't leave my pet jaguar, panther'

An Indian doctor Girikumar Patil, popular as Jaguar Kumar, has refused to leave Ukraine without his pet jaguar and panther. "I called Embassy but didn't get a proper response. My place is surrounded by Russians but I'm trying my best. I treat them like my kids," he said. Patil is currently holed up in a bunker. He went to Ukraine in 2007 to study medicine, and later settled down in Donbas.

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