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regular-article-logo Saturday, 04 May 2024

Difficult to say how to bring people back until Kabul airport resumes: MEA

The ministry had also said that its focus was on evacuating Indian nationals from Afghanistan

Our Bureau, Agencies New Delhi Published 16.09.21, 10:54 PM
So far more than 120,000 people were taken out of Afghanistan by the US and allied nations since the Taliban began their takeover.

So far more than 120,000 people were taken out of Afghanistan by the US and allied nations since the Taliban began their takeover. File picture from NYTNS

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, at a media briefing on Thursday, said it is difficult to say about bringing back remaining Indians and some other Afghan nationals till flight services are resumed in the Kabul airport.

"Till operations at Kabul airport is not resumed, it is difficult to say how to bring them back. Our focus is that operations at Kabul airport resume. Then, it will be easier for us to bring back the people," Bagchi said.

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In its last update on August 27, the ministry had said that over 550 people, including more than 260 Indians, were evacuated from Afghanistan by India under the operation Devi Shakti. The airlift was carried out in six separate flights either from Kabul or Dushanbe.

Bagchi had said that the number was excluding the Indian embassy personnel who were also being evacuated simultaneously. Further, Indian nationals were also evacuated through other “countries and partners,” he said. The ministry had also said that its focus was on evacuating Indian nationals from Afghanistan.

On Thursday, India said it is in touch with all concerned following reports that an Indian national has been kidnapped from Kabul.

According to reports, Bansri Lal Arendeh was kidnapped at gunpoint on Tuesday in the Afghan capital city.

"We are in touch with all concerned. We have seen reports about local authorities undertaking investigations into this matter. We will continue to monitor the situation," Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

When specifically asked whether Arendeh is an Indian national, Bagchi said, "I am given to understand that he is an Indian citizen but we are also checking that part."

Reports said that Arendeh's family lives in Faridabad, and he has been engaged in business in Kabul for the last two decades.

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