Operation Ganga: MK Stalin thanks Centre for safe evacuation of students

After Russia began its 'military operation' against Ukraine, the Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 'Operation Ganga' to bring back students and its citizens back from Ukraine.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday thanked External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and the Centre for the safe evacuation of Indian students, as well as those from Tamil Nadu from Ukraine. After receiving the last batch of students from Ukraine at the Chennai airport, MK Stalin called EAM S Jaishankar to thank him, say reports.

Indian nationals inside an IAF C-17 aircraft after being evacuated using airfields in Romania and Hungary in view of the Ukraine conflict as part of Operation Ganga. (ANI)

Earlier on Friday, S Jaishankar had hailed the Indian 'Operation Ganga' which has been launched to evacuate its citizens from Ukraine. Several Indian students and citizens were stranded in the war-hit country as Russia began its invasion on February 24.

Taking to Twitter, the EAM had said, "Operation Ganga, undertaken at the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has delivered due to both leadership and commitment." This came as Indian students stranded in the besieged north-eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy arrived in India via special flights.

India's 'Operation Ganga'

After Russia began its 'military operation' against Ukraine, the Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 'Operation Ganga' to bring back students and its citizens back from Ukraine.

Under this challenging evacuation plan by India that started on February 26, around 46 evacuation flights have been operated so far. An Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 transport aircraft also took off on Wednesday to Romania to bring back Indian citizens.