Photo : APNew Delhi: The Indian government on Monday took a serious note of the killing of an Indian student in shelling in Kharkiv city of war-hit Ukraine, saying it is imperative that Russia and Ukraine respond to their need for “safe passage” urgently. The deteriorating situation in Kharkiv is a matter of grave concern and the safety and security of Indian nationals in that city is of utmost priority to the government, official sources said. “We had already taken up with the Russian and Ukrainian Embassies the pressing requirement of safe passage for Indian nationals, including students, from Kharkiv and other cities in conflict zones,” they said, quoting the government. “This demand has been repeatedly made of Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of this conflict on February 24. It has been conveyed to both their ambassadors in New Delhi as well as taken up in their capitals,” they added.In first Indian casualty in the war in Ukraine, a student from Karnataka lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv city on Tuesday morning. Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, a native of Chalageri in Haveri district, was a fourth-year medical student at the Kharkiv National Medical University in Kharkiv.”With profound sorrow we confirm that an Indian student lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv this morning,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.The ministry said it is in touch with the family of the student, adding that the foreign secretary is calling in ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate India’s demand for “urgent safe passage” to Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and other cities in conflict zones.Related NewsUkraine-Russia Conflict: First Indian casualty in war-hit Ukraine; student from Karnataka dies in KharkivRelated News’Leave Kyiv urgently’, advises Indian embassy in UkraineRelated NewsRussia-Ukraine crisis: No other choice but to return to path of diplomacy, India tells UN Sources said that from the Indian side, the preparations for evacuation have been in place for some time now and an Indian team has been positioned in the Russian city of Belgorod, close to the Ukrainian border. “However, the conflict situation in and around Kharkiv and nearby cities has been an obstacle. Therefore, it is imperative that Russia and Ukraine respond to our need for safe passage urgently,” they said. Sources said that in places where the conflict has not endangered movement, the government has been able to evacuate Indian citizens. More than 9,000 Indian nationals have been brought out of Ukraine while a considerable number are now in safer areas. “We will continue to make utmost efforts to ensure the return our citizens stranded in Ukraine,” the sources said.A number of Indians are still stranded in the Kharkiv city where Russia has launched a major military offensive.