Embassy in touch with students in Crimea

India is in touch with the authorities at Crimea State Medical University to ensure security of Indian students pursuing their studies at the institution.

Indian Ambassador in Ukraine Rajiv K Chander recently visited the Crimean capital Simferopol and met varsity officials. He also interacted with Indian students at the university. 

Sources said around 600 Indian students currently study at the varsity.

"The primary concern was to ensure the security and wellbeing of the students in the days up to the holding of the referendum on 16 March. This event passed off without any incident and the studies continued normally," they added.

A team of two senior officials and a local staff member from the Indian Embassy in Kyiv were stationed in Simferopol from March 12-18. They had detailed interactions with the University authorities and the students.

Embassy officials also discussed the issues raised by the students with university authorities, who said they were aware of the concerns of the students and would address these on priority in consultation with concerned authorities, the sources said.

A travel advisory by Indian embassy for its citizens in the region on Monday asked them to stay away from the protest venues and remained at their study, work and residence.  

“In view of the fact that there is an interim government in place and Presidential elections are scheduled for May 25, 2014, the situation may be expected to remain fluid and uncertain in the coming months,” the advisory said.