The Government of India (GoI) today introduced a new category of electronic visa to fast-track applications for entry into India from Afghanistan.
The new “e-Emergency X-Misc Visa” comes as videos that surfaced online showed attempts by thousands of people to escape the country from the Kabul airport, after the Taliban seized the capital.
“MHA reviews visa provisions in view of the current situation in Afghanistan. A new category of electronic visa called “e-Emergency X-Misc Visa” introduced to fast-track visa applications for entry into India,” the spokesperson of the Union Home Ministry tweeted.
As people in Kabul desperately flocked to the city airport to board the few flights available, videos showed huge crowds running along airplanes in an attempt to board them. Some videos showed people climbing onto the fuselage and wings of aircraft, at least two of whom fell to their death after the planes were airborne.
India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Centre will facilitate repatriation of those who want to leave Afghanistan and come to India.
India evacuated its ambassador and embassy staff in Kabul aboard a special Indian Air Force flight.
