Closure of Kabul airport puts pause on repatriation

India would "facilitate repatriation to those who wish to leave Afghanistan". Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan will be given priority once commercial flight service begins from Kabul, Foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Monday told reporters in New Delhi that the government will take all steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and our interests in Afghanistan. The ministry said, "We are in constant touch with the representatives of Afghan Sikh and Hindu communities. We will facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish to leave Afghanistan".

"There are also a number of Afghans who have been our partners in the promotion of our mutual developmental, educational and people to people endeavours. We will stand by them," Bagchi added. Commercial flight operations from the Kabul airport have been suspended. "This has forced a pause in our repatriation efforts. We are awaiting the resumption of flights to restart the process," Bagchi said. It is said  that more than 200 Indians -- including Foreign Ministry staff and paramilitary soldiers stationed for their security -- are yet to be evacuated from Kabul. An aircraft is on stand-by at the Kabul airport to pick them up. But transferring them from the Indian mission compound to the airport is proving a hurdle. The situation in Afghanistan, Bagchi said, is being monitored on a constant basis at high levels, and the government “will take all steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and our interests in Afghanistan”.

Meanwhile a  US military commander met face-to-face with the Taliban to seek non-interference with Kabul airport evacuation, reported The Associated Press. Military evacuations were halted earlier on Monday after hundreds of Afghans overran the tarmac at Kabul airport. An Indian Air Force aircraft is among the many aircraft waiting in Kabul to evacuate embassy officials.