New Delhi: Ambassador and all Indian Embassy staff in Kabul were evacuated on August 17.
But the embassy was officially not closed.
“Given the prevailing situation, it has been decided that our ambassador in Kabul and Indian staff will soon move to India.” MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi wrote on Twitter.
There are a number of local employees who continue to work at the embassy.
So technically, the embassy remains open.
For the second time in 20 years India has been in the same position in Afghanistan.
Officials remember that even in 1996, when the Taliban invaded Kabul, India did not closely close his mission in Kabul.
This applies to the Indian Consulate in Kandahar and Mazar-e-Sharif too – The government currently reflects on transferring online salaries to all local employees.
On Tuesday, the government announced an online visa system for Afghans who wanted to come to India.
This will eliminate the need to maintain a manned visa office at this time, while maintaining a visa to remain open.
Even background checks are run through a safe database.
India will prioritize Afghan officials who work for India and stand in India for Visas from Afghanistan.
The second category will be a member of the civil society, opinion makers, influencers and women who might come to come.
The source said a few months ago, India facilitated visas for media and those who felt they could be targeted by the Taliban.
In time, said the source, when the situation stabilizes, India will continue the issuance of medical and student visas to Afghanistan.