India To Grant Visas To Afghan Students, Women Activists On Priority

Afghan Students Indian Visa: Visas to civil society members, opinion makers, women activists, students and NGO workers from Afghanistan will be given on priority by the Indian government, as per sources. The objective is to help them in these treacherous times. Besides that, India will also give priority for grant of visas to people who are fear persecution and those who backed the country in kickstarting various welfare and development projects.

India has also introduced a new category of electronic visas called "e-Emergency X-Misc Visa" for the same. With this measure, the government aims to honour the people who have stood by the country in its various initiatives, as per sources.

Before that, the government wants to bring back stranded Indians from Kabul. India, US and other partner countries are coordinating to ensure this happens. The government is working hard to ensure they return as soon as possible. A lot of countries like UK, Canada are doing their bit by agreeing to providing temporary shelter to them.

Uncertain of what their future holds for them, thousands of people rushed to the airport in the Afghan capital to save themselves and their family. By 17th August, India successfully evacuated all its diplomats and other staff members from the Afghan capital. Backed by US, around 200 people including the Indian envoy and other staffers were rescued.

According to a report by NDTV, there are still Indian citizens in pockets in Kabul and other Afghanistan cities. This included a group of around 200 Sikhs and Hindus who have taken refuge at a gurudwara.

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