New Delhi: The evacuation process of Indian personnel and diplomats from the Indian mission in Kabul has been completed, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Tuesday evening.
"This movement has been completed in two phases and the Ambassador and all other India-based personnel have reached New Delhi this afternoon," MEA said.
Earlier today, IAF's C-17 heavy-lift aircraft, carrying the second batch of diplomats, officials and journalists from Kabul, landed in Gujarat's Jamnagar and reached New Delhi today afternoon at 1 pm.
Indian ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon is on the flight along with 120 other diplomats and officials.
While on Monday, one C-17 of the Indian Air Force (IAF) evacuation flight carrying around 45 Indians, including the embassy staff posted there, returned to India from Kabul, with personnel and equipment.
The MEA further said, "We have been issuing periodic travel and security advisories for all Indian nationals in Afghanistan, given the deteriorating security situation there. Those already in Afghanistan were urged to return immediately while others were advised not to travel there."
"Nevertheless, we understand that several Indians are stranded in that country, some of whom are employed by third country organizations. Our immediate priority is to obtain accurate information about all Indian nationals currently in Afghanistan," it stated.
The Ministry urged the employers to urgently share the relevant details with MEA’s Special Afghanistan Cell.
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MEA also updated the contact numbers to - +91-11-49016783, +91-11-49016784, +91-11-49016785 and WhatsApp: +91 80106 11290 along with the Email id: SituationRoom@mea.gov.in
"As regards Afghan nationals, our visa services will continue through an e-Emergency visa facility, which has been extended to Afghan nationals. This can be accessed through our e-visa portal at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/Registration. We have already received requests from Afghan Sikh and Hindu community leaders, and are in touch with them," the MEA informed.
The main challenge for travel to and from Afghanistan is the operational status of Kabul airport, it added.
Meanwhile, EAM Jaishankar is in New York to chair India's initiatives in the UNSC and has been discussing the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan with partners from the international community.
He tweeted, "Movement of the Indian Ambassador and the Embassy staff from Kabul to India was a complicated exercise. Thank all those whose cooperation and facilitation made it possible."
The government of India is committed to the safe return of all Indian nationals and will institute flight arrangements once Kabul airport is open for commercial operations, said MEA.
