New Delhi: In big relief to thousands of Indian medical students who fled Ukraine in February 2022, following the Russian invasion, Ukraine’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzhaparova, who was visiting India, has conveyed that Ukraine will permit foreign medical students to take the Unified State Qualification Exam in their country of domicile.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, almost 20,000 Indians, mostly medical students, were evacuated from that country. Most of them had to stop studying in the middle, which had an impact on their prospects for the future. The Indian students are unsure about what to do given the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine.

Dzhaparova also proposed that rebuilding infrastructure in Ukraine could be a chance for Indian companies. She was in New Delhi from April 10 to 12, in her first official visit to India.

The bilateral agenda covered topics such as the economy, defence, humanitarian aid, and international problems of shared concern.

She gave Secretary (West) a briefing on the current Ukraine situation. The next round of Foreign Office Consultations will take place in Kyiv on a day that works for all parties, according to an official statement.

"On the subject of international medical students from India, Ukraine will permit them to sit for the Unified State Qualifying Test in their place of residence," the statement said. She shared that India has provided medicines, medical equipment and would provide school buses etc. to Ukraine.

Meenakshi Lekhi, a minister of state for external affairs and culture, was also visited by Dzhaparova. Along with discussing a wide variety of bilateral and global matters of shared interest, she also gave Prime Minister Modi a letter from President Zelenskyy.

She also discussed the need for greater humanitarian aid for Ukraine, particularly prescription drugs and medical supplies. The next Inter-Governmental Commission between the two nations would take place in India on a mutually agreeable date, it was decided.

Dzhaparova visited the Manohar Parrikar - Institute of Defence Studies, and also delivered a talk at the Indian Council of World Affairs. She  emphasised Ukraine's intention to forge a more solid alliance with India during her visit. It further stated that Dzhaparova's visit to India would promote bilateral cooperation.

In a tweet on her meeting with MoS Meenakshi Lekhi, she said: "I was happy to send a letter from the president of Ukraine, @ZelenskyyUa, to the prime minister of India, @narendramodi. “As our countries India and  Ukraine have mutual interests & visions, intensified dialogue on the highest level will be fruitful for our people and security in the world.”

Zelensky writes to PM Modi, seeks additional humanitarian aid

Ukraine minister to visit India on April 9, What's on Agenda?