India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) briefed the media on the progress and diplomatic challenges of Evacuation,” Operation Ganga”, confirming that over 18,000 Indians have been evacuated from Ukraine with ongoing efforts to extract those remaining, particularly from conflict zones like Kharkiv and Sumy.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) provided an in-depth briefing on September 26, detailing the rapid progress, coordination efforts, and diplomatic complexities of the ongoing evacuation mission in Ukraine, dubbed Operation Ganga. As shared in the official transcript, nearly 18,000 Indians have already left Ukraine since the advisories were issued, with evacuation flights reaching an accelerated pace—fifteen flights in one day and more planned in upcoming days.
Evacuation Updates, Coordination, and Diplomatic Engagement
Senior MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi explained that the evacuation is now focused on remaining pockets of stranded Indians, including some 1,000 in the city of Pisochyn near Kharkiv and additional groups in Sumy and western Ukraine. Coordination between Indian embassies, Ukrainian authorities, and local partners has enabled safe passage and provision of shelter and food for those waiting to be repatriated. The MEA expressed gratitude to Ukrainian neighbors—Poland, Hungary, and Romania—for facilitating the movement and hosting evacuated Indians along escape routes.
Diplomatic engagement has been robust, with the Prime Minister speaking to President Putin on safe evacuation measures, and the Foreign Secretary and External Affairs Minister maintaining regular contact with relevant counterparts in Ukraine, Russia, the EU, and other international partners. The spokesperson acknowledged challenges due to ongoing conflict, frequent advisories, and rapidly changing ground realities which complicate logistics and timing.
The MEA clarified that while some Russian and Ukrainian statements reference humanitarian corridors and transportation, the practical reality hinges on coordination, ground safety, and shifting conflict zones, particularly around Kharkiv and Sumy. The media briefing also addressed concerns regarding specific cases—including stranded medical professionals, transfer of mortal remains, and coordination with state governments and international partners.
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Smaller embassy teams have temporarily relocated to Lviv to oversee evacuations and remain agile for support needs in both east and west Ukraine. The MEA stressed that India’s approach remains non-partisan and diplomatic, reiterating calls for safe passage and avoidance of linking India’s UN voting position to any particular bloc.
With nearly 18,000 citizens safely evacuated, India’s Operation Ganga draws upon complex diplomatic coordination and rapid logistical adaptation to respond to one of its largest-ever overseas crises. The Ministry reaffirmed that efforts are ongoing for those still in conflict zones, and that all government agencies are working round-the-clock to ensure every Indian in Ukraine can reach safety. As highlighted in the weekly briefing, India’s integrated approach and the entire country’s commitment remain central to the success of the ongoing mission.
