SOHINI BISWAS
The Indian Government’s Thought
The Government of India may grant the Afghan citizens, refuge, especially the ones fearing persecution or facing threats from the Taliban, against the backdrop of the concerning deterioration of the situation of security in Afghanistan.
Situation at Afghanistan
Afghans have started leaving key cities following the rapid advances by the Taliban into urban centers in the previous week. A total of 18 out of 34 provincial capitals across the country of Afghanistan are now under Taliban’s control, which includes some of the biggest cities such as Herat and Kandahar.
People who are familiar with the developments said on condition of anonymity that there was no immediate update on the issue of granting visas to Afghan nationals fleeing their country though discussions on the matter were underway.
Among those who may to be granted refuge are the political leaders or activists, media personnel, human rights workers, members of minorities and people who have worked with the Indian government, the people said.
The Increase in Refuge Requests
There has been a huge increase in requests for Indian visas in the capital city of Kabul over the previous few weeks. Images shared on social media on Saturday showed the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul is packed with people waiting for flights out of the country.
The airport is currently one of the few ways out of the country and there were reports of people waiting as long as three hours to get into the terminal after buying tickets at counters set up in the parking lot outside. Air India, Emirates, FlyDubai, Pakistan International Airlines and Turkish Airlines are among the airlines which are currently operating flights to Kabul.
With the fall of several provincial capitals surrounding Kabul and the capture of Logar province, located just 11 km south of the city, fears have risen that the Taliban could be knocking at the doors of the capital Kabul within a week, if not days.
India And Afghanistan
India has provided refuge to several Afghan leaders and their families amid the turmoil of the past four decades. Afghan chief negotiator Abdullah Abdullah’s family currently lives in India and others such as former president Hamid Karzai have lived and have studied in the India.
When asked about the possibility of India offering refuge to Afghanistan’s Sikh and Hindu minorities at last week’s media briefing, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the government is keeping a close eye on all developments related to the two communities.
“Last year, our mission in Kabul had facilitated the return of 383 members of the Sikh and Hindu communities in Afghanistan. Our mission continues to remain in touch with the Afghan Hindu and Sikh community members and we will ensure the provision of all the necessary assistance required,” he said.
Plans and Announcements of Different Countries
With thousands determined to escape the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, different nations are bracing for a flood of people looking for shelter. Five Mediterranean nations on the forefront of mass migration to Europe — Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain — have asked European Union-degree talks about the way to respond, according Greece’s migration ministry.
There also are worries about refugees flowing to Iran, Pakistan and Turkey. Canada stated ultimate week that it'd resettle extra than 20,000 Afghan residents from organizations that it considers probably goals of the Taliban, such as leading women, rights employees and L.G.B.T.Q. people. Several nations have introduced and are having plans to provide shelter to Afghans dealing with threats, mainly the ones who have worked with Western nations or foreign troops over the past years.
The US has plans to assist hundreds of Afghans under its unique immigrant visa application or as refugees, whilst Canada has declared it will take in up to 20,000 Afghan refugees, such as women leaders, government employees and people dealing with threats from the Taliban. President Biden defended his selection on Monday to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, arguing that the U.S. project there was entire and that nation constructing was never the preliminary goal. Worries pervaded Kabul, the capital, approximately the capability for violence because the Taliban stuffed the town and the Afghan authorities crumbled. President Ashraf Ghani fled the country as the insurgents entered the city on Sunday. A U.S. army reputable who was not legal to speak publicly stated U.S. defense force have been now no longer concerned in Mr. Ghani’s departure. The U.S. government stated that in the coming days it would evacuate thousands of American residents, embassy employees and their families, and “specifically susceptible Afghan nationals.”
The desperation was glaring as some people broke down in tears, spotting that their threat of escape was slim. Reports of gunfire circulated all through the morning. Although the Taliban has seized manipulate of the country, there's no authorities in any actual sense. That made it difficult to get dependable information; each for people in the country and world watching the occasions unfold.