S Jaishankar | Afghanistan
No figure given on Indians stuck in Afghanistan, opposition says after meet
New Delhi/UNI: As External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed leaders on the Afghanistan situation, oppositions said the government did not share any figures on how many Indians are stuck in Afghanistan, sources said.
Opposition Congress also questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not brief them, mentioning that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had done so twice after the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
As the government said it is in "wait and watch" mode over Afghanistan, opposition leaders asked questions about the evacuation efforts, and whether the government was going to hold talks with Taliban for evacuating Indians.
Even as all party leaders lauded the government efforts in evacuation, questions were raised about the future course of action.
"How is the government going to evacuate Indians if they do not know how many are stuck there," an opposition leader said on condition of anonymity.
According to sources, the Congress leaders also questioned why Rangina Kargar, an Afghan woman member of Parliament since 2010, was deported from New Delhi’s IGI Airport on 20th August, 2021. Government admitted that it was a mistake, sources said.
They also stressed on the concern about the rise in terrorism impacting the regional security situation and challenges emerging from the re-emergence of the Taliban and its terror links, and asked about the steps taken.
Opposition also questioned the future strategy of the government vis a vis Afghanistan.
"They did not make it clear whether they will or will not talk to the Taliban," an opposition leader told UNI.
Government was also questioned about the alleged "secret talks" held in Doha with Taliban leaders, which was also neither confirmed nor denied by the government.
Trinamool Congress leaders meanwhile handed over a list of 125 Bengalis stuck in Afghanistan, and expressed concern over the infrastructure created by India there valued in crores.
The National Conference questioned the fallout of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Opposition leaders also extended support to the government over the issue, and called for protecting India's interest.
The briefing was held as Afghanistan was taken over by Taliban, with the extremist group entering capital Kabul on August 15.
Concerns have been raised on the impact of the Taliban take over on India, and Afghanistan based terrorist groups entering India.
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