Situation in Afghanistan critical, evacuation is top priority: EAM Jaishankar at all-party meet

New Delhi: At the all-party meet convened by Centre, the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed the opposition leaders about the gravity of situation in Taliban-captured Kabul and also India’s co-ordinated effort in evacuating its nationals including Hindus and Sikhs.

“Situation in Afghanistan is critical and Government’s first priority is to evacuate its nationals at the earliest,” Jaishankar told the all party meet.

EAM also briefed the Opposition about India’s ‘wait-and-watch policy’ over Afghanistan crisis. US and European countries have also adopted this policy after Talibanis reneged their promise of inclusive rule. Anticipating terror attacks, they have expedited the evacuation of their nationals and are closely watching the situation unfold in the war-torn country.

Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon and Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla also taking part in the all-party meet over present situation in Afghanistan.

(file photos)- pic 1: Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon; pic 2: Harsh Vardhan Shringla pic.twitter.com/qq9PfHviV9

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2021

The all party meet took place after PM Modi underlined the need to keep Opposition informed about aggravating crisis in India’s backyard and how the government was keeping pace with time to safeguard its nationals.

Jaishankar also told the Opposition leaders that the Taliban has gone back on its promise in Doha and has started exerting its tyrannical and oppressive rule after capturing power. According to reports, Taliban has consolidated its troops around the Kabul airport, thus prompting the US to make an urgent call to its nationals to leave Afghanistan at the earliest.

#WATCH Delhi | External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar briefs all-party panel over the present situation in Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/AhyaggYDV1

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2021

According to Doha act inked between US and Taliban, the latter had envisaged an inclusive government which would ensure religious freedom and participation of all sections of society.

However, it has let loose its militias to inflict atrocities on locals. Videos of Taliban militias brandishing weapons and inflicting cruelty on Afghan nationals is a common sight. Recently, it also banned co-ed education calling it the ‘sole cause of all evils’ in the country.

In G-7 meeting last week, the global powers also expressed grave concern over humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and called for greater co-operation in lifting their own nationals from violence-hit country before the August 31 deadline.