NEW DELHI — Comprising India’s Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaisankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, established a high-level group.
The purpose of the group is to update Modi on the Afghan situation and will also take the necessary steps to focus on immediate priorities, including the evacuation of the stranded Indians.
As the United States completes its military mission in Afghanistan and the Taliban takes over complete control, India closely monitors the evolving situation.
“In view of the evolving situation in Afghanistan, Prime Minister had recently directed that a high-level group comprising External Affairs Minister, National Security Advisor and senior officials focus on the immediate priorities of India,” said the sources.
It is learned that this group has been meeting regularly over the last few days. It is seized of issues on the safe return of stranded Indians, the travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, to India, and assuring that the territory of Afghanistan is not used in any manner for terrorism directed against India.
The group has also been monitoring the ground situation in Afghanistan and international reactions, including the Resolution, passed on Aug. 30 by the UN Security Council, said sources.
India has said that it has evacuated the majority of citizens who wish to come back. New Delhi is on “wait and watch” mode as far as recognizing the Taliban regime is concerned.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Aug. 27 said India is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and is in touch with other countries after the twin bomb blasts in Kabul airport on Aug. 26.
“Today’s attacks reinforce the need for the world to stand unitedly against terrorism and all those who provide sanctuaries to terrorists,” said Bagchi in a statement.
India played an instrumental role in bringing Resolution on Afghanistan on the last day of its presidency at the United Nations Security Council.
The UN Security Council under the Indian presidency has adopted a resolution on Afghanistan in which the member states reiterated the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan and noted the Taliban’s relevant commitments.
The Resolution called for the Taliban to facilitate safe passage for people wanting to leave Afghanistan, allow humanitarians to access the country, and uphold human rights, including women and children.
“Thirteen of the 15 ambassadors voted in favor of the Resolution, which further demands that Afghanistan not be used as a shelter for terrorism. Permanent members China and Russia abstained,” said the United Nations in a statement.
(With inputs from ANI)
Edited by Saptak Datta and Ritaban Misra
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