Approaching the Afghanistan situation with national unity: EAM Jaishankar after all-party meeting

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said on Thursday (August 26) that India will approach the situation in Afghanistan with national unity. His remarks came after the MEA briefed floor leaders at an all-party meeting.

The Afghanistan all-party meeting lasted three and a half hours. It was attended by 37 leaders from 31 parties. The EAM fielded questions from MPs and delivered a presentation on the priorities and challenges.

“On this subject, we all have a similar viewpoint, and we have a strong national position on Afghanistan,” EAM said, adding that we approach the situation “very much in the spirit of national unity.”

Under Operation Devi Shakti, India has been evacuating its nationals as well as a number of Afghans from the country. So far, India has evacuated 565 people, including 175 embassy personnel, 263 other Indian nationals, 112 Afghan nationals, including Hindus and Sikhs, and 15 foreign citizens.

According to the EAM, “India has brought back the majority of the Indians.” There are still a few out there; some of them were unable to make the flight yesterday, but we will bring everyone out.”

On August 16, India established the Afghan special cell for repatriation. It has handled 3014 calls, 7826 WhatsApp messages, and 3101 emails so far. More than 20 MEA officials staff the cell.

According to sources, during the all-party meeting, EAM listed pre-emptive measures such as temporary withdrawal of India-based personnel from Indian consulates in Herat and Jalalabad (April 2020), scaling down of the Indian Embassy in Kabul (June 2021), evacuation from Kandahar and Mazar-e-Sharif, and issuing security advisories on a regular basis.

He emphasised that the “government is very strongly committed to ensuring complete evacuation as soon as possible.” Our diplomacy, role, and interests are recognised in any international decisions that are made. We are in communication with our partners.”

EAM highlighted challenges during evacuation, including frequent firing incidents near the airport and inside Kabul, multiple checkpoints by various groups, landing permissions delays, and flight clearances from relevant countries, during the meeting.