Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress and other political parties, have criticized the government for its perceived lack of timely arrangements to bring back 20,000 Indians stranded in Ukraine. They have accused the government of neglecting its citizens in this challenging situation.
Some Congress leaders have additionally called for India to take a strong and unequivocal stance by condemning Russia’s actions. The Congress party questioned why the government had not made timely preparations to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens from Ukraine, despite repeated warnings.
Randeep Surjewala, Chief Spokesperson of the Congress, criticized the government for remaining silent in difficult situations and not taking adequate action. He questioned whether this was in line with the government’s “self-reliant” mission.
Vivek Tankha, a Congress MP, highlighted the failure to evacuate citizens despite prior warnings and compared it to the successful evacuation efforts of other countries.
Shashi Tharoor, a former Union minister and Congress leader, emphasized the need for diplomatic strategy over election strategy during this critical time. He urged the government to prioritize the evacuation of Indian students stranded in Ukraine.
Other Congress leaders, such as Manish Tewari and Milind Deora, stressed the importance of India taking a clear and principled stance against Russia’s actions. They emphasized the need for India to diversify its international relationships and not solely rely on paper alliances.
In response to the situation, the India embassy in Ukraine issued an advisory urging Indian citizens to maintain calm and safety while advising those traveling to Kyiv to consider returning to their respective cities, especially along safer routes.
The Russian attack on Ukraine has escalated tensions, with Putin warning other countries against interference. The situation remains highly uncertain, prompting concerns for the well-being and safety of Indian citizens in Ukraine.
