India said it would “facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan” and said priority will be given to Hindus and Sikhs from the country.
On Tuesday, the government of India announced a new category of electronic visa to fast-track applications from Afghans who wish to leave the Taliban-controlled country. The new visa category is called “e-Emergency X-Misc Visa”. The priority for this visa will be given to Hindus and Sikhs from the country.
Thousands of people have been making desperate attempts to flee the land-locked nation, have been crowding the capital Kabul’s airport since Sunday, after the Taliban captured the capital.
MHA reviews visa provisions in view of the current situation in Afghanistan. A new category of electronic visa called āe-Emergency X-Misc Visaā introduced to fast-track visa applications for entry into India.@HMOIndia @PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) August 17, 2021
Five people died in Monday’s chaos – it is not known yet whether by firing by US forces or a stampede. People have even tried to get onto the planes forcibly which were leaving the airport. Disturbing visuals of people falling from the planes mid-air have also been witnessed.
India said it would “facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan” and said Hindus and Sikhs from the country will be given priority. “The government will take all steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and our interests in Afghanistan,” foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters, according to NDTV.
Also read: Afghanistan Crisis: Who Are Taliban and Why Do They Want To Rule Afghanistan?
“MHA reviews visa provisions in view of the current situation in Afghanistan. A new category of electronic visa called “e-Emergency X-Misc Visa” introduced to fast-track visa applications for entry into India,” the spokesperson of the Union Home Ministry tweeted.
The Taliban rapidly seized Kabul following US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw US forces after 20 years of war that he described as costing more than $1 trillion.
The speed at which Afghan cities fell, in days rather than the months predicted by US intelligence, and fear of a Taliban crackdown on freedom of speech and human rights, especially women’s rights, have sparked criticism. In a televised address, Mr Biden said he did not regret his decision.
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