Successfully evacuating more than 18,000 Indian nationals from Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict is an admirable achievement. The lack of widespread publicity surrounding this operation emphasises the effective coordination by the Indian government to facilitate a swift and smooth evacuation. This is the spirit of ‘Operation Ganga’ an initiative intended to bring back all Indian citizens residing in Ukraine who were caught in the conflict of the military actions taking place on Ukrainian soil due to Russian aggression.
Prioritizing Safety and Security
India's primary foreign policy objective during this conflict has been the safe and secure evacuation of its citizens, including students and other residents. Operation Ganga is a witness to this commitment by showcasing a joint effort between civil and military resources to ensure the well-being of Indian nationals. The operation’s success highlights India's ability to respond promptly and effectively to protect its people in times of international crisis.
Operation Ganga: A Comprehensive Effort to Evacuate Indians from Ukraine
- Massive Evacuation Efforts: In response to the crisis in Ukraine, the Indian government launched Operation Ganga, conducting around 80 flights to safely evacuate approximately 18,000 Indian nationals. Out of these flights, private airlines carried out 46 by March 9. Importantly, the government chose not to charge the evacuees, bearing the total cost of approximately Rs 66-70 crore per flight for the round-trip operations. The distribution of the 46 private airline flights was strategic: 29 flights to Bucharest, Romania, 10 to Budapest, Hungary, six to Rzeszow, Poland, and one to Kocise, Slovakia.
- Governmental Coordination and Support: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs established 24/7 control centers to facilitate information flow from Ukraine. This setup enabled the government to cross-reference records of Indian nationals with existing databases effectively. Assistance from Eastern European countries such as Poland was essential; they waived documentation requirements for Indians, allowing for smoother entry and subsequent flights home. Constant high-level dialogues between the Indian government and heads of state in these countries further streamlined the evacuation process.
Direct Involvement of Senior Officials
Top-level coordination was critical to the operation's success. Senior ministers were posted to key countries—Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland—to ensure proper on-ground coordination and direction. The Prime Minister's direct involvement including daily meetings, highlighted the operation's importance. Four ministers, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Hardeep Singh Puri, Kiren Rijiju, and V.K. Singh, were sent to these countries to supervise the evacuation efforts personally.
Challenges in Conflict Zones
The most challenging aspect was evacuating Indians from eastern Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict. India proposed creating humanitarian corridors with both Russia and Ukraine to facilitate safer evacuations. Additionally, a team was stationed in Belgorod, Russia, near the Ukrainian border ready to assist if evacuations from the Russian side became possible. However, due to the intense conflict in eastern Ukraine this option was not utilized.
Operation Ganga showcased a well-coordinated, high-level government effort to ensure the safety and return of Indian nationals from a volatile region by reflecting India's commitment and efficiency in handling international crises.
Ensuring the Safety of Indians in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
- India's Concerns and Actions: Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra has addressed the concerning issue of Indians dying in the Russia-Ukraine war. During a special briefing on Wednesday, he highlighted India's ongoing and intensive discussions with Russian authorities. Kwatra emphasized that from the very beginning of the conflict, India has been in regular communication with various levels of the Russian system including their leadership and other pertinent officials.
- Continuous Engagement and Efforts: Kwatra reiterated India's clear stance that all Indians present in the war zone, irrespective of how they ended up there need to be safely evacuated. He emphasised the extensive efforts India has undertaken to ensure the safety of its nationals which includes working closely with Russian officials. Additionally, domestic agencies have been engaged to prevent the illegal recruitment of Indians into the conflict.
Casualties and India's Response
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reported that two Indian nationals, who were recruited by the Russian Army have recently lost their lives in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In response to these tragic deaths, India has expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. The Indian Embassy in Moscow has urged the Russian authorities, particularly the Ministry of Defence, to accelerate the repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased Indians.
Diplomatic Efforts and Condolences
India's diplomatic mission in Moscow is actively pressing for the swift return of the bodies of the deceased to their families. This action highlights India's commitment to the safety and dignity of its citizens abroad. The efforts reflect a broader strategy of diplomatic engagement and proactive measures to safeguard Indians caught in international conflicts. By maintaining continuous dialogue and coordination with Russian officials, India is striving to ensure that its nationals are protected and that those in harm's way are brought back home safely.
India's Efforts to Safeguard Nationals in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
- Diplomatic Engagement for Early Release: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Moscow have been actively addressing the issue of Indians involved with the Russian Army. They have strongly communicated with the Russian Ambassador in New Delhi and Russian authorities in Moscow urging for the swift release and return of all Indian nationals in the Russian military.
- Government's Serious Approach: Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra emphasized that the Indian government is deeply committed to this matter. He assured that the government is closely monitoring how individuals end up in the war zone and is in constant contact with Russian authorities to ensure their safety.
Immediate Actions and Continuous Efforts
Kwatra highlighted that the Indian government takes immediate action upon learning that an Indian national is in the conflict area. The government contacts the family of the individual, investigates how they arrived in the war zone and shares this information with Russian officials. He assured that these efforts are ongoing and robust. By maintaining regular communication and taking swift actions, India aims to protect its nationals caught in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and ensure their safe return.
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