Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security on Tuesday to review the situation in Afghanistan where the Taliban took control of the government, triggering panic and fear among the residents.
Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the meeting. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and India’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon were also present. Tandon returned to India on Tuesday after New Delhi brought back the embassy officials from Kabul in two military transport aircraft.
It is not immediately known what transpired at the meeting. The Cabinet Committee on Security is the apex government body that deals with the issues of national security.
The Ministry of External Affairs earlier said the Ambassador and all other India-based personnel have reached New Delhi on Tuesday afternoon.
“The main challenge for travel to and from Afghanistan is the operational status of Kabul airport. This has been discussed at high levels with our partners, including by EAM with the US Secretary of State. 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,” the MEA said.
The statement by the MEA came soon after a military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force brought back from Kabul around 150 people including Indian diplomats, officials, security personnel and some stranded Indians.
Another flight evacuated around 40 staffers from Kabul on Monday.
“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 a number of 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,” the Ministry said.