India 'Carefully' Observing Taliban: EAM S Jaishankar On Afghanistan Crisis

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar rushed to the USA to attend bilateral meetings on the Afghanistan situation. 'Safety of Indians' is a priority said the minister.

Image Courtesy: AFP

India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar is off to the United States of America (USA) to attend various meetings on the Afghanistan issue. He also had a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. As the Taliban seize control of Afghanistan, world leaders are waiting patiently to understand the changing nature of politics in the region. Thus, a series of meetings are being held at the United States Security Council (UNSC). 

S Jaishankar chaired an open debate on peacekeeping under India's current UNSC Presidency. While talking to reporters, he said, "[situation in Afghanistan] is really what has been very much the focus of my own engagements here, talking to the UN Secretary-General and other colleagues who are here as well as the US Secretary of State." (to PTI) 

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The External Affairs Minister said that India was "very carefully" looking at the developments in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover of the country. He also said that India's focus will be on safely bringing back the stranded Indians from Afghanistan. 

"At the moment we are, like everybody else, very carefully following developments in Afghanistan. I think our focus is on ensuring the security in Afghanistan and the safe return of Indian nationals who are there," Jaishankar said in response to a question by PTI.

Mr. Jaishankar arrived in New York on Monday and attended the second meeting in only 10 days about the concerning situation in Afghanistan. UN Security Council's meeting was held under India's Presidency. 

After the Taliban captured the Afghan capital of Kabul on Sunday, India brought back ambassador Tandon and other staff from the embassy in Afghanistan's capital. 

 

(With inputs from PTI)