LIVE: PM Modi puts emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy in Quad meeting

'We have started talking to Russia's representatives,' said Mykhailo Podolyak on Twitter

11:15 PM

IAF deploying Russian-origin Ilyushin-76 heavy-lift transport aircraft to bring back Indians from Ukraine

11:14 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated today at a virtual summit of Quad leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated today at a virtual summit of Quad leaders, along with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida: PMO

11:11 PM

At Quad meet, Modi reiterated importance of adhering to UN Charter, international law: PMO

At Quad meet, Modi reiterated importance of adhering to UN Charter, international law, respect for sovereignty & territorial integrity: PMO

11:11 PM

Quad leaders agreed to stay in touch and to work towards an ambitious agenda for summit in Japan: PMO

Quad leaders agreed to stay in touch and to work towards an ambitious agenda for forthcoming summit in Japan: PMO

11:10 PM

PM Modi called for concrete and practical forms of cooperation within Quad: PMO

PM Modi called for concrete and practical forms of cooperation within Quad in areas like supply chains, clean energy, connectivity: PMO

11:04 PM

Prime Minister Modi emphasised need to return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy at virtual Quad meeting: PMO

Prime Minister Modi emphasised need to return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy at virtual Quad meeting: PMO

11:04 PM

Developments in Ukraine discussed in Quad meeting, including its humanitarian implications: PMO

Developments in Ukraine discussed in Quad meeting, including its humanitarian implications: PMO

11:04 PM

Quad leaders agreed on accelerating cooperation with objective to achieve concrete outcomes by summit: PMO

Quad leaders agreed on accelerating cooperation with objective to achieve concrete outcomes by summit in Japan later this year: PMO

11:04 PM

PM Modi has underlined Quad must remain focused on core objectives in Indo-Pacific region: PMO

PM Modi has underlined Quad must remain focused on core objective of promoting peace, stability and prosperity in Indo-Pacific region: PMO

10:47 PM

Top Russian general killed in Ukraine

Maj. Gen. Andrei Sukhovetsky, the commanding general of the Russian 7th Airborne Division, was killed in fighting in Ukraine earlier this week. His death was confirmed by a local officers' organisation in the Krasnodar region in southern Russia. The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear.

 

Sukhovetsky, who was 47, began his military service as a platoon commander after graduating from a military academy and steadily rose through the ranks to take a series of leadership positions.

 

He took part in Russia's military campaign in Syria. He was also a deputy commander of the 41st Combined Arms Army. A funeral ceremony will be held in Novorossiisk, but further details weren't immediately announced.

10:29 PM

India focuses on evacuation of citizens from Kharkiv, other conflict zones in eastern Ukraine

India on Thursday said it was primarily focusing on the evacuation of its nationals from the besieged city of Kharkiv and other conflict zones in eastern Ukraine amid increasing Russian military offensive in the region.

 

At a media briefing, Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi said around 1,000 Indians reached Pisochyn from Kharkiv following the urgent advisory issued by the Indian embassy in Ukraine on Wednesday.

 

"We estimate that a few hundred people still remain in Kharkiv despite our advisory," Bagchi said, adding that "unfortunately" there has been a fresh outbreak of violence in the city on Thursday.

 

The spokesperson said India has been in constant touch with Russia and Ukraine to ensure a safe passage of the stranded Indians from the conflict zones in eastern Ukraine.

10:09 PM

India dismisses claims by Russia and Ukraine on hostage situation involving Indians in Kharkiv

India on Thursday rejected claims by both Russia and Ukraine that Indian students are being held hostage in the besieged city of Kharkiv and said it has requested the support of Ukrainian authorities in arranging special trains for taking them out from the conflict zone and neighbouring areas.

 

India's comments came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin's office claimed that some Indian students were "actually taken hostage" by the Ukrainian security forces to use them as a "human shield".

 

The Russian claim figured in a readout issued by Kremlin that mentioned the key points made by Putin during a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday evening.

9:32 PM

30 flights operated, about 6,400 people brought back under 'Operation Ganga': MEA

A total of 30 flights have been operated and around 6,400 people brought back under Operation Ganga that was launched to evacuate Indian nationals in Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

 

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the number of Indians who have left Ukraine since advisories were issued was nearly 18,000.

 

"The pace of Operation Ganga continues to accelerate. During the last 24 hours, 15 flights landed in India, bringing back more than 3,000 Indians," he said at a media briefing. "With this, it takes the total number of flights under operation Ganga to 30. So, we have brought back around 6,400 Indian citizens," Bagchi said this evening.

9:24 PM

Hope Indian authorities use connection with Russia to call on ceasefire: French Ambassador

9:23 PM

UK extends Russian sanctions to insurance sector

Russian companies in the aviation or space industry will be prevented from making use of UK-based insurance or reinsurance services directly or indirectly, the UK government announced on Thursday as further sanctions in response to the attacks on Ukraine.

 

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the latest measures will limit the benefits Russian entities receive from their access to the global insurance and reinsurance market.

 

Russian companies in the aviation or space industry will now be prevented from making use of UK-based insurance or reinsurance services directly or indirectly. This measure will severely limit their access to the global insurance and reinsurance market, he said.

 

Through Lloyd's and the London market, the UK describes itself as a world leader in these sectors of the global insurance market. In taking such action, the UK is demonstrating its commitment to apply severe economic sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the UK Treasury department said.