India sends medical aid to Afghanistan on return flight

INDIA on Saturday (11) sent medical supplies to Afghanistan in what is its first tranche of humanitarian aid to that country since the return of the Taliban to power.

The aid is in sync with New Delhi’s commitment of extending help to the people of Afghanistan in their times of difficulty.

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The medical aid was sent on a return flight to Kabul that had brought 10 Indians and 94 Afghans to New Delhi from the Afghan capital on Friday (10).

India’s ministry of external affairs said the consignments will be handed over to World Health Organisation representatives in Kabul.

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“In view of the challenging humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the Government of India has dispatched humanitarian assistance consisting of medical supplies on the return flight today,” the ministry said in a statement.

“These medicines will be handed over to the representatives of the World Health Organisation in Kabul and will be administered at the Indira Gandhi Children Hospital, Kabul,” it added.

India has been pitching for providing unhindered humanitarian help to Afghanistan to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in that country.

India, which had a close relationship with the West-backed government in Kabul which collapsed in August ahead of the Taliban’s return, has also been calling for the formation of a truly inclusive government in the Afghan capital while insisting that the soil of Afghanistan must not be used for any terror activity against any nation.

India is particularly worried over the possibility of Pakistan-based terror outfits using the soil of Afghanistan under the Taliban to promote their anti-India activities.

India has already declared that it will send 50,000 tonnes of wheat and medicines to Afghanistan by road through Pakistan. India and Pakistan are currently finalising the modalities for transportation of the consignments.

The external affairs ministry said a special flight from Kabul to Delhi, chartered by India, brought 10 Indians and 94 Afghans on Friday.

“The flight brought 10 Indians and 94 Afghans, including members of Afghan minority community. The minority community members carried with them two ‘Swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib’ and some ancient Hindu manuscripts,” it said.

The people were brought under India’s “Operation Devi Shakti” which was launched to evacuate Indians as well as Afghans from Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover.

(With PTI inputs)