New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday responded to concerns raised over Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan amid a tense situation due to a swift takeover by the Taliban.
“The security situation in Kabul, Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly over the past few days. We are issuing advisories from time to time for the safety and security of Indian nationals, including calling for their immediate return to India”: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Read also | Punjab CM, several citizens urge Center to ‘immediately evacuate’ Indians stranded in Afghanistan
Arindam Bagchi spoke about the efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs to help Indian citizens in Afghanistan and its capital Kabul.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, “We had circulated emergency contact numbers and were also providing assistance to community members. We know that there are still some Indian nationals in Afghanistan who want to come back and we are in touch with them. “
Talking about the repatriation efforts, Arindam Bagchi said, “We will facilitate the repatriation to India of those who want to leave Afghanistan. There are also many Afghans who have been our partners in our mutual development, educational and people’s promotion. Efforts among people. We will stand by them.”
“Commercial operations from Kabul airport have been suspended today. This has put our repatriation efforts on hold. We are waiting for the resumption of flights to resume the process,” he said.
Earlier, while talking about the evacuation of Sikhs and Hindus from Afghanistan, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said that the Ministry of External Affairs and all others responsible for it will make all the arrangements.
Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had expressed concern over the Indians living in Afghanistan.
With the situation getting worse every day, the Chief Minister urged External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to “immediately evacuate all Indians, including around 200 Sikhs stranded in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover”.
In a tweet on Monday, Captain Amarinder Singh wrote: “Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, urges the immediate evacuation of all Indians, including around 200 Sikhs stranded in a Gurdwara in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. My government is ready to extend any help to ensure their safe evacuation.”
He had given a stern warning to the central government that the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban is an ominous sign for India.
“The fall of Afghanistan to Taliban is not good for our country. It will strengthen the Sino-Pak alliance against India (China has already sought the help of militia on Uighurs). Signs are not good at all, we have to be extra cautious. Needed. Now on all our borders,” he tweeted.
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