NEW DELHI: India is focusing on the safety of Indians in Ukraine, particularly students, and is keeping a careful eye on the quickly shifting circumstances, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

The MEA's control room is being expanded and made active 24x7 basis .The Ministry is convening a high-level conference today to assess the situation near the Ukrainian border, which has deteriorated since Russia began military operations in the Donbas region. The Ministry's senior officials are in frequent contact with the Indian embassy in Ukraine "the MEA added.

Due to continued missile assaults between Russia and Ukraine, an Air India plane assigned to bring students back from Kiev, Ukraine's capital, had to return. The government is also considering other options for evacuating Indians and students through neighbouring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and Romania, but it is weighing all options before making a final decision, it said. The Indian embassy in Ukraine issued a second advisory on Thursday, urging Indians in Ukraine to be calm and secure wherever they are.

"Ukraine's current situation is extremely precarious. Please remain calm and safe wherever you are, whether at home, at hostels, hotels, or in transit "According to the Indian embassy, "All those travelling to Kiev, particularly those travelling from western regions of Kiev, are recommended to return to their respective locations, temporarily," the advice continued, adding that "additional advisories will be issued for any changes."

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