India on Thursday rushed a team to Kabul to “closely monitor efforts” for the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. This move came in the backdrop of more than 1,000 people dying in the earthquake there on Wednesday.
The government did not spell out the objective of sending a “technical team” to its embassy there which is closed since August last year after the Taliban took control of the country. A statement from the ministry of external affairs here on Thursday said “in order to closely monitor and coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders for the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and in continuation of our engagement with the Afghan people, an Indian technical team has reached Kabul and has been deployed in our Embassy there."
Recently, another Indian team visited Kabul to oversee the delivery operations of our humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and met with senior members of the Taliban. During the visit, an assessment of the security situation was also carried out.
The Taliban has urged India to reopen its embassy in Kabul and assured of all security and assistance. It also appreciated the Indian aid in terms of the commitment to supplying wheat and medicines to the strife-torn country. Several consignments have already reached Afghanistan through the land route passing through Pakistan.
The ministry statement referred to the recent visit to Kabul by an Indian team led by joint secretary JP Singh, the external affairs ministry in charge of Afghanistan, to oversee the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to hold meetings with senior Taliban members.
“Our longstanding links with Afghan society and our development partnership, including humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan, will continue to guide our approach going forward,” the statement said.
An Indian team was to travel from New Delhi to Kabul on June 18. The visit was called off following a terror attack on Gurdwara Karte Parwan in the Afghan capital.
Afghanistan ambassador to India Farid Mamundzay appreciated the support extended by India. "Appreciate the solidarity and support of India at this difficult time. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan was already going from worse to worst - and with the occurrence of natural disasters like the recent earthquake make life unbearable for many Afghans," Mamundzay tweeted.