All staff from the Indian embassy in Kabul have been moved out from Afghanistan, officials said.
India evacuated its embassy in Kabul this morning amid escalating Taliban fear in Afghanistan. A special Air Force flight is bringing back the envoy, along with other staff members and ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) troops. The evacuation operation has faced multiple challenges in the last 48 hours as Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan after 20 years on Sunday.
“In view of the prevailing circumstances, it has been decided that our ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will move to India immediately (sic),” Arindam Bagchi, Spokesperson, Ministry Of External Affairs, had tweeted this morning. More than 120 Indian officials were flown out of the country.
In view of the prevailing circumstances, it has been decided that our Ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will move to India immediately.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 17, 2021
India has been facing numerous obstacles in its attempts to bring people back home safely with the security situation deteriorating sharply in Afghanistan.
Two aircraft were deployed for the evacuation of the embassy staff on Sunday. The first IAF C-17 aircraft with 45 personnel returned on Monday. However, with roads and airport operations shutting down on, and chaos unfolding at Kabul airport, the Indian Ambassador in Kabul, other staff members, and ITBP troops could not be brought back earlier.
Also read: India Announces New E-Visa To Fast-Track Requests Amid Afghanistan Crisis
Kabul Airport, now controlled by the United States, resumed its operations this morning after a day-long mayhem when thousands were seen on tarmac, desperately trying to escape the Taliban rule.
In a tweet last night, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said he “discussed” latest developments in Afghanistan with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and “underlined the urgency of restoring airport operations in Kabul”. The overnight talks may have helped the evacuation.
India has also announced a new category of electronic visa “e-Emergency X-Misc Visa” to fast-track applications from Afghans who wish to leave the Taliban-controlled country.
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