The people feared the return of the Taliban regime that they remembered as being brutal and initiated mass exodus.
Afghan nationals on Thursday gathered outside the United States embassy in New Delhi even as the situation in Afghanistan continued to evolve post takeover by Taliban.
Worried about their family members stranded in Afghanistan, they requested the Indian Government to extend help to them.
“My family back home is scared after the Taliban takeover. We request support from India,” said one Afghan national.
Afghanistan plunged into turmoil after the Taliban took over the capital city of Kabul over the weekend. The humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country turned grim and exceedingly difficult. The people feared the return of the Taliban regime that they remembered as being brutal and initiated mass exodus. The Taliban regime had ended in 2001 with the US’ entry.
“India’s focus in Afghanistan is the safety and repatriation of its nationals and the Afghan people, will be central to New Delhi’s approach to the war-torn country following the takeover by the Taliban.”
— Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar
Various foreign governments, including India, are carrying out evacuation operations, with most troops already withdrawn. On Tuesday, India withdrew its ambassador and diplomatic staff from Kabul. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting during which he directed officials to ensure all Indian nationals are evacuated safely from Afghanistan.
Almost 200 people, including India’s ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon have been brought back to the country.
India’s focus in Afghanistan is the safety and repatriation of its nationals, and the Afghan people will be central to New Delhi’s approach to the war-torn country following the takeover by the Taliban, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had said on Wednesday.