India to stand by Afghan loyalists, Hindus and Sikhs, assures govt

Sandeep Dikshit

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 16

The Government said it will facilitate the repatriation of Afghan Hindus and Sikhs as well as the locals who had stood by India.

Though the Taliban has declared the war in Afghanistan over, a Government assessment said, “The security situation in Kabul has deteriorated significantly in the last few days. It is changing rapidly even as we speak.”

“The situation in Afghanistan is being monitored on a constant basis at high levels. The Government will take all steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and our interests in Afghanistan,” assured the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The airport in Kabul witnessed grisly scenes that included videos showing people falling to their deaths from an aircraft that had taken off from Kabul airport and lifeless bodies after security forces opened fire on a mob of Afghans trying to enter the airport. Many ran along with taxiing military aircraft hoping to somehow get out of the country.

As commercial operations from Kabul airport were suspended on Monday, this has forced a pause in India’s repatriation efforts. The Government is awaiting the resumption of flights to restart the process.

Afghanistan’s aviation authority said the national airspace had been released to the military after the Taliban’s takeover but for now the Americans have taken over the airport to facilitate the extrication of their personnel and equipment.

“We are in constant touch with the representatives of Afghan Sikh and Hindu communities. We will facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan. There are also a number of Afghans who have been our partners in the promotion of our mutual developmental, educational and people to people endeavours. We will stand by them,” assured the Government.

The Government said it was aware that there are still some Indian nationals in Afghanistan who wish to return and the embassy in Kabul is in touch with them.