Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed safe evacuation of Indian nationals from conflict areas in Ukraine.
"The leaders reviewed the situation in Ukraine, especially in the city of Kharkiv where many Indian students are stuck. They discussed the safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from the conflict areas," a statement from the PMO read.
A few days ago, the PM had spoken to Putin and said India attaches the highest priority to the safe exit of Indian nationals from Ukraine and their return home. The two had then agreed that their officials and diplomatic teams would continue to maintain regular contacts on issues of topical interest.
On Wednesday, Modi had also chaired a high-level meeting on the Ukraine crisis as India stepped up its efforts to evacuate its citizens, mostly students, from the war-torn country.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his cabinet colleague Piyush Goyal besides senior officials attended the meeting.
Modi has held a series of meetings since Sunday to spearhead India's efforts to safely bring back its nationals, asserting that this is his government's top priority.
Earlier in the day, the Indian embassy in Ukraine had asked all Indian nationals to leave Kharkiv immediately to safe zones or further westwards.
The external affairs ministry has assured that every Indian citizen will be brought back from Ukraine.
—With PTI inputs
