In view of current Afghan crises, the Union Home Ministry on Tuesday announced a new category of visa to fast-tack the applications of Afghans who want to come to India.
“The 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,” a home ministry spokesperson said.
The announcement came two days after the Taliban captured power in Afghanistan.
The e-emergency visa will allow Afghan nationals to evacuate to India. The new visa category will bring hope to Afghan citizens belonging to religious minorities there including Hindus and Sikhs, who may be fearing religious prosecution with the Taliban.
Shocking images went viral on social media where thousands of Afghans rushed into Kabul’s main airport to escape the Taliban that they held onto a military jet as it took off and plunged to their deaths.
At least seven people died in the chaos, US officials said, as America’s longest war ended with its enemy the victor.
The crowds came while the Taliban enforced their rule over the capital of five million people after a lightning advance across the country that took just over a week to dethrone the country’s Western-backed government.
