Modi and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy discuss the changing situation in Ukraine after Russia declares a truce for evacuations.
On the 12th day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, delegates from Russia and Ukraine began a third round of talks in Belarus, according to the Interfax news agency.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to meet directly with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he spoke with earlier in the day.
The Prime Minister's main topic of conversation with both Presidents was the safety and security of Indian students still in Ukraine, emphasising the importance of their prompt and safe withdrawal.
According to official sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised all possible cooperation in this regard.
The Prime Minister's meeting with both actors comes as Russia offers a ceasefire in the area of Ukrainian cities to allow for the safe evacuation of civilians, including 600 Indian students and an equal number of Africans who have been stuck in Sumy for the previous 11 days.
Putin briefed Prime Minister Modi on the status of negotiations as Ukrainian and Russian negotiators prepare to enter a third round of talks. The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is becoming increasingly desperate.
The PM applauded the Russian military's statement earlier in the day to hold fire and open humanitarian corridors in Kyiv, Kharkov, Sumy, and Mariupol during the discussion, which is the second between Modi and Putin since Russia began its campaign on February 24.
During his conversation with Zelensky, the Prime Minister thanked the Ukrainian authorities for assisting in the evacuation of more than 20,000 Indians, but he also expressed deep concern for the safety and security of the remaining Indian students, emphasising the importance of a prompt and safe evacuation.
"He reaffirmed his plea for an immediate end of violence, noting that India has always advocated for peaceful resolution of disputes and direct engagement between the two parties," according to an official statement. On February 26, the two leaders had spoken.
Following appeals from Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, PM Modi will be the latest world leader to call for peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Modi's meeting with the two presidents of warring nations comes as India's efforts to evacuate all citizens from Ukraine reach a critical stage, according to PTI.
A team of Indian diplomats has been stationed in Ukraine's central region, and buses have been ordered. The Ukrainians have stated that they will assist in the evacuation of students from the country's western regions.
The students have already been instructed by the Indian embassy in Ukraine to be prepared to depart at any time.
Evacuations are taking place across land borders due to the closure of Ukrainian airspace.
The Indian embassy is also trying to figure out how many Indian citizens are in Sumy. It has asked all those who have yet to leave Ukraine's conflict zones to "urgently" fill out a form with their personal information and location to help with evacuation.
Operation Ganga resulted in the return of almost 17,100 Indians.
So far, India has repatriated nearly 17,100 of its citizens from Ukraine, while around 700 Indian students remain trapped in the northeastern city of Sumy, their evacuation contingent on Russian and Ukrainian authorities facilitating a safe passage.
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