MEA sets up special cell to help repatriation, ‘other requests’ from Afghanistan

New Delhi/Kabul, Aug 16 (UNI) The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday set up a Special Afghanistan Cell to coordinate repatriation and other requests from Afghanistan, with hundreds of people trying to leave the country following the Taliban takeover.
MEA spokesperson tweeted the information, and provided a phone number: +919717785379, and an email: MEAHelpdeskIndia@gmail.com
Earlier, in a statement, the spokesperson had said that India is willing to accommodate Afghan nationals, who have been on good terms with India.
The statement said that India is 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,” the spokesman said.
“There are also a number of Afghans who have been our partners in the promotion of our mutual developmental, educational and people to people endeavors. We will stand by them,” the statement said.

Minister of State for External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi, on Monday, expressed hope that Afghan crisis will be resolved peacefully. Replying to a question on the Afghan crisis at a press meet in New Delhi, the Minister said “India hopes and prays for peace in the world and we hope all countries will peacefully try to resolve the crisis”.
Earlier, External Affairs Ministry said India is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and will take all the necessary steps to ensure the safety of Indian nationals in the war-torn country.
Taliban insurgents swept Kabul after the Afghan government collapsed and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday, bringing an unprecedented end to efforts made by the US and its allies to transform the war-ravaged nation in the last two decades.