Amid escalating tensions in Afghanistan, India evacuated its embassy in Kabul through a special flight this morning. A special Air Force flight has taken off from Kabul early Tuesday morning with more than 120 Indian officials.
“In view of the prevailing circumstances, it has been decided that our Ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will move to India immediately,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a statement.
The Union Home Ministry also announced a new category of visa to fast-track the applications of Afghans who want to come to India in view of the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. “The 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,” a home ministry spokesperson said.
Earlier on Monday, Bagchi said that the situation in Afghanistan is being monitored on a constant basis at high levels and that suspension of commercial operations at Kabul airport had briefly paused India’s repatriation efforts.
“The security situation in Kabul has deteriorated significantly in the last few days. It is changing rapidly even as we speak. The Government of India has been closely monitoring all developments in Afghanistan,” he said.
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