PM's High-Level Group On Afghanistan: NSA, EAM, Others Meet. Discuss Safe Return Of Indians

According to reports, the meeting which ended at around 8 pm, was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and senior officials. 

Taliban take control of Hamid Karzai International Airport after the completion of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. (Getty Image)

New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted a high-level group in view of the evolving situation in Afghanistan after Taliban's takeover, members of the group chaired a meeting on Wednesday to focus on the "immediate priorities of India".

According to reports, the meeting which ended at around 8 pm, was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and senior officials. 

During the meeting, leaders and officials discussed international recognition of Taliban, its government formation in Afghanistan and safe and immediate evacuation of stranded Indians from the war-torn country. 

As of now, India's top priority is to ensure safe evacuation of those Indians nationals who are still stuck in Afghanistan, which is now under complete control of Taliban after US forces left the country ending its longest war of over 20 years.

Even PM Modi has stressed on safe return of every Indian left in Afghanistan. 

Meanwhile, Taliban leaders have said that the negotiations over the future set-up of government in Kabul have ended and they will announce the new government soon.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar spoke to his British counterpart Dominic Raab on Wednesday on the situation in Afghanistan, their second such conversation in a week. India has been in constant touch with all major countries on the fast-paced developments in Afghanistan, particularly after the Taliban took control of the country on August 15.

According to reports, India has been closely monitoring the unfolding developments in Afghanistan.

Indian Ambassador to Qatar Deepak Mittal met senior Taliban leader Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai in Doha on Tuesday, in the first formal and pubicly acknowledged contact between the two sides.

India has been a key stakeholder in Afghanistan and it has invested nearly USD 3 billion in carrying out nearly 500 projects across Afghanistan.

(With Inputs From Vikas Bhadauria)