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Afghanistan has now come under the rule of the Taliban. This nation has witnessed disturbing scenes of desperate citizens rushing to escape from the region. After two days of control by the Taliban, India has evacuated its representatives and other staff members from Afghanistan. This mission took place in a challenging and intricate position. It was accomplished by evacuating around 200 people including the Indian diplomat and other staff members in two military aircraft. The first C-17 heavy-lift transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force evacuated over 40 staffers. The second aircraft brought back around 150 people including the ambassador, other diplomats, security officials, journalists, and several stranded Indians.

One of the primary challenges for flying from Afghanistan is the operational status of Kabul airport. And the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reviewed this situation with some of its leading allies. The evacuation mission of Indians from Afghanistan was additionally supported by the US. The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his American counterpart Antony Blinken about the evacuation mission. NSA Ajit Doval discussed with president Joe Biden’s National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. And with the support of S Jaishankar’s French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, around 21 Indian nationals were also evacuated from Kabul to Paris. UN Security Council has reviewed the extensions in Afghanistan, with the concerns of the international community.

Indian ambassador to Afghanistan Rudendra Tandon informed the media that the condition in Kabul, Afghanistan is complicated and quite shifting. The second aircraft was parked at an airbase in Tajikistan after the view of the chaos in Kabul airport and then it flew into the Afghan capital to pick up the Indian residents. The US military had taken control of the security at the Kabul airport following the violent actions, with reports saying seven people were killed around its premises. Rudendra Tondon has also stated that India will remain in contact with the Afghan people and will proceed to work for their well-being. It doesn't want to abandon the people of Afghanistan and their welfare, and thus they will try and maintain some cooperation with them.

Given the current situation in Kabul, it was decided that the Embassy personal would be immediately moved to India. This movement has been completed in two phases and the Ambassador and all other India-based personnel have reached India. The MEA has announced that now the focus would be to ensure the safe return of all Indian nationals from the Afghan capital because of the prevailing situation in the country, adding India’s visa services will continue through an e-Emergency visa facility and it has been extended to Afghan nationals. 

Visas will be now open for all Afghans, and the priority will be given to those who worked with the Indian missions, civil society representatives, officials, NGO workers, women activists, and those who feel threatened by the new Afghani administration. With time, the Indian government may also issue visas to other categories such as students as well as those having medical cases.

The government of India is committed to the safe return of all Indian nationals and will institute flight arrangements once Kabul airport is open for commercial operations. The Indian government may even consider chartered flights to Afghanistan to bring back people. The government is also monitoring the situation in Afghanistan continuously.

 The Taliban has swept across Afghanistan, seizing control of almost all major towns and cities across the nation. Currently, there is a huge mishap happening in the region. Some people were also killed and a dozen wounded after shots fired at the protest against the removal of the Afghan flag by the Taliban in the eastern region of Afghanistan. Meanwhile, at Kabul airport, the evacuation missions of civilians from Afghanistan have gathered momentum in recent times. Indian ambassador has claimed that the remaining Indians stuck in that region will be brought back home when the commercial flight services resume. However, numerous Afghans are continuing to race to the airport and borders to escape from Afghanistan.

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Reference: 

  • www.aninews.in
  • www.aljazeera.com
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