Harsh Vardhan Shringla Discusses India's Diplomatic Challenges

“The evacuation was complex because the situation on the ground was changing by the hour. Hostilities escalated very quickly, key cities where our students were located came under shelling, and normal lines of movement simply collapsed. With Ukrainian airspace closed, the usual option of direct air evacuation was not available. We also had to deal with crowding at border points, disrupted communications, and the fact that young students were scattered across different locations, often in bunkers or shelters. Our approach was to create multiple safe exit routes rather than rely on one. Under Operation Ganga, we identified land corridors through neighbouring countries – Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia, and where needed Moldova – and positioned teams there in advance. Russian-speaking and local-language officers were deployed at the border posts, while a 24×7 control room in Delhi and in our missions coordinated live advisories and transport. Equally important was continuous diplomatic engagement – with the Ukrainian authorities, the Russian side, and governments of neighbouring countries – to ensure humanitarian corridors and safe passage when convoys moved. Every step was calibrated to one priority: no panic, no single-point failure, and maximum safety for our students. The Government kept families informed throughout. In the end, over 22,000 Indians were brought home through around 90 flights and onward movements.”

“The G20 in 2023 was not just a summit in Delhi. It was a year-long national effort, under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and its outcomes are already shaping India’s engagement with the world, as well as creating very concrete local benefits. At the national and global level, a few things stand out. First, at a time of deep global divisions, India achieved a full consensus on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration. That matters because it kept the G20 focused on growth, development, climate action and reform of multilateral institutions. Second, India placed the priorities of the Global South at the centre. The African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member was a historic step, and a clear signal that development voices must have equal space at the table. Third, we created practical, forward-looking initiatives. The G20 gave strong political endorsement to Digital Public Infrastructure for inclusive growth, and launched platforms like the Global Biofuel Alliance and the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, all aimed at resilient supply chains and cleaner, faster connectivity. Talking about North Bengal specifically, the region hosted an important G20 meeting: Siliguri and Darjeeling hosted the second G20 Tourism Working Group meeting. Delegates from G20 countries and international organisations saw North Bengal’s potential first-hand.”