India has resumed its visa operations for Afghan nationals under a new scheme, marking an important diplomatic overture to the Taliban-administered government in Afghanistan. The new visa policy is opened up to enter India under six categories with major emphasis on granting medical treatment to Afghan citizens.
Medical Priority Under New ‘AFGHAN Visa’ Module
In an official notification on the Indian visa portal, the ‘New AFGHAN Visa’ module has been made functional, receiving applicants under six categories: student, business, medical, medical attendant, entry, and UN diplomat. Government officials informed The Economic Times that Afghan nationals arriving in India for medical treatment, particularly those with critical illnesses, will be prioritized.
During the application process, candidates are required to upload a recent front view photograph and mandatory identity documents, such as a passport and national ID card, both with complete personal information like name, date of birth, nationality, and document expiry date.
Strengthening India-Taliban Ties
The resumption of visa comes on the back of a bettering of New Delhi and the Taliban regime’s relationship. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a “good conversation” with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi earlier this month, during which both reconfirmed bilateral relations.
“Underlined our age-old friendship with the Afghan people and continued support for their development requirements. Explored ways and means of taking cooperation forward,” Jaishankar said after the meeting.
Jaishankar also thanked Muttaqi for his denouncement of the Pahalgam terror attack that had resulted in 26 deaths and appreciated his “strong rejection” of “recent efforts at sowing mistrust between India and Afghanistan by means of false and unfounded reports.”
Taliban Rejects Pakistani Allegations
Official sources disclosed that Muttaqi had firmly rejected accusations by a portion of the Pakistani media that India has coordinated with the Taliban to carry out a “false flag” attack in Pahalgam. The charge was allegedly connected with unsubstantiated reports of Indian missile attacks on Afghan territory—charges Afghanistan strongly denied.
Trade and Connectivity Efforts Continue
Again reflecting the good wishes of New Delhi, India has cleared the passage of 160 Afghan trucks containing dry fruits and nuts through the Attari border in Punjab. The trucks were earlier held back by Pakistani authorities. In a gesture of goodwill, India permitted a few of these trucks to offload their cargo at Attari despite an initial resistance from Islamabad.
This legislation enunciates India’s commitment to furthering economic relations with the Afghan people as well as rendering humanitarian assistance in spite of the geopolitical challenges in the region.
