Afghan Nationals Must Travel to India on e-Visa: MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday said that all Afghan nationals who planned to seek refugees in India due to the crisis on Afghanistan must travel to the country on e-visa.

The MHA in a statement said, "Keeping in view some reports that certain passports of Afghan nationals have been misplaced, previously issued visas to all Afghan nationals, who are presently not in India, stand invalidated with immediate effect."

The development comes a day after Union minister Hardeep Puri said India had organised seven evacuation flights on which 626 people including 228 Indians have been evacuated.

Earlier, India announced a new category of electronic visa called "e-Emergency X-Misc Visa" for the Afghans to fast-track visa applications for their entry into India.

"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 statement said.

The Taliban swept across Afghanistan this month after the government collapsed and the embattled president joined an exodus of his fellow citizens and foreigners, signaling the end of a costly two-decade US campaign to remake the country.

After seizing power in Afghanistan, the Taliban vowed to respect women's rights within Islamic law, forgive those who fought them and ensure the country does not become a haven for terrorists.

Thousands tried to flee the country and gathered around the Kabul airport in the hope of getting a flight out of the country.

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