Ground Report | New Delhi: India recalls consulate staff from Kandahar; Amidst the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, the Indian administration is withdrawing its staff from there. The Taliban’s capture is getting bigger, India’s concern about its people in Afghanistan is also increasing. In view of this, the Indian administration has decided to temporarily close its consulate in Kandahar.
India recalls consulate staff from Kandahar
However, the matter of closing the embassy has been denied by the Ministry of External Affairs. Responding to media queries at the Indian Consulate in Kandahar, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “India is closely monitoring the security situation arising in Afghanistan.
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The safety of our personnel is of paramount importance to us. In Kandahar, The Consulate General of India has not been closed. However, due to the fighting that broke out near the city of Kandahar, Indian personnel have been called back for the time being.”
Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stressed that “this is purely a temporary arrangement till the situation in Kandahar returns to normal”.
Special aircraft to bring back about 50 diplomats
The Indian government is saying that the Indian Air Force is sending a special aircraft to bring back about 50 diplomats and security personnel from Afghanistan to Delhi.
Officials say the move has been taken as a precaution, as everyone is concerned that the Taliban will continue to move towards the southern city of Kandahar, which was also their headquarters in the 1990s if the Taliban reach this major city. If they arrive, their fight with the Afghan army may intensify. (India recalls consulate staff)
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Earlier in April 2020, the Government of India had decided to suspend the operations of two other Consulates of India (Jalalabad and Herat) and recalled their staff. Then the Ministry of External Affairs said that these people have been called back due to the Corona epidemic, but it is believed that due to security reasons, these people could not return.
Officials say they were particularly concerned about Kandahar, as exits to the airport are very limited and the Taliban have taken control of its surrounding districts. Last Sunday it was reported that Taliban fighters had captured Panjwai district, which is less than an hour from the city of Kandahar.
The Indian government estimates that in view of the crisis in Kandahar, some other countries may also close their consulates in the coming days.
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