New Delhi. (ANI) In the middle of the constantly worsening security situation in Afghanistan with the Taliban advancing in new territories, India is likely to bring back its nationals and officials from the war-torn country.
India, which held a big presence in Afghanistan since the fall of Taliban in 2001 following the US invasion, had played an important role in helping the successive government there including the members of the northern alliance who have been Indian allies for a long time.
“With the Afghan security situation deteriorating, plans have been discussed for bringing back our citizens and officials present in different parts of that country and multiple agencies are in discussion for this purpose”, said a government source.
India has its embassy in Kabul along with the consulates in Kandahar and Mazar where it has over 500 staff deployed.
The process is under discussion and it is not clear whether the entire workforce would return or some essential staff would be staying back in Afghanistan.
In the wake of the US finally exiting Afghanistan after a long war against terrorism, the Taliban have been at the front foot in capturing new districts in the country, pushing back Afghan military forces. In Kandahar, the Taliban have captured important bridges and roads connecting the city with other parts and the Afghan officials are proving ineffective.
India has played a crucial role in the redevelopment of Afghanistan and helped it to construct its Parliament building along with other infrastructure in the war-torn country.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 Afghan troops fled into neighboring Tajikistan on Monday following clashes with the Taliban, as the insurgents amassed momentum on the battlefield.
The speed and ease of the Taliban's taking over the provinces come as a massive psychological blow to the Afghan Government, along with which Afghanistan is likely to witness the mass exodus of its citizens into neighboring Pakistan, further creating refugee crises.
Source: https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/amid-deteriorating-afghan-security-situation-india-likely-to-bring-back-nationals20210706130833