• Friday, March 29, 2024

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India foreign minister wants Kabul airport operations restored

Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar (Photo: TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images)

By: Shubham Ghosh

INDIA’S external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday (17) spoke to Us secretary of state Antony Blinken over phone to discuss the situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over capital Kabul on Sunday (15).

During their talks, Jaishankar underlined the urgency of restoring airport operations in the Afghan capital. Several thousands of people were seen rushing into the airport to catch flights to flee the country. They were seen trying to sit on the wings and wheels of departing US military aircraft and a few also perished from mid-air.

On Monday (16), India said it will take steps to ensure the safety and security of its nationals in Afghanistan and facilitate repatriation of Sikhs and Hindus who want to exit Afghanistan as the Taliban takeover triggered panic and uncertainty.

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Suspension of commercial flights after the Kabul airport authorities said its airspace was “uncontrolled” disrupted air operations of many countries, including India, to evacuate its people from Afghanistan.

Jaishankar, who reached New York on Monday to chair some high-level events this week under India’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council this month, discussed the situation in Afghanistan with Blinken, state department spokesperson Ned Price said in Washington DC.

Taliban assure safety to 300 Sikhs taking shelter in Kabul gurudwara

After the meeting, the Indian diplomat said in a tweet, “Discussed latest developments in Afghanistan with @SecBlinken. Underlined the urgency of restoring airport operations in Kabul. Deeply appreciate the American efforts underway in this regard.”

Jaishankar was also reportedly involved in hectic parleys, including those with American officials, over the evacuation of Indian diplomats located in Kabul. An Indian Air Force plane evacuated over 100 people from the country on Tuesday to land at Jamnagar in Gujarat.

The Indian minister said he expects to discuss the situation in Afghanistan during his talks at the UN.

In another tweet, he said, “Monitoring the situation in Kabul continuously. Understand the anxiety of those seeking to return to India. Airport operations are the main challenge. Discussions on with partners in that regard.”

He also said that New Delhi is in constant touch with the Sikh and Hindu community leaders in Kabul.

India has been a key stakeholder in Afghanistan and it has invested nearly $3 billion in carrying out nearly 500 projects across the war-ravaged country.

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