Closely monitoring safety of Afghan Hindus, Sikhs: Government

NEW DELHI: India is closely monitoring the safety and security of Hindu and Sikh minorities in Afghanistan amid reports of atrocities abound as Taliban forces make rapid advances.
At the weekly briefing of the ministry of external affairs, spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India was “concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.” “Indian embassy officials in Kabul are keeping track of these minorities. We will ensure all necessary assistance to them,” he added.
Last year, India had brought back 383 Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan after a couple of Taliban attacks on Sikhs. Bagchi reiterated that India was “in contact” with “all stakeholders” in Afghanistan, which includes certain factions of the Taliban as well.
Earlier this week, India issued an advisory for its nationals to leave Afghanistan by commercial flights before services are stopped, he said.
India has also repatriated all India-based personnel from its consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif after the area was overrun by the Taliban. The government put out a notice for a special flight out of Mazar-e-Sharif which took those who could make it.
India presently is taking a hands-off approach on all its development projects in Afghanistan. Questioned about Taliban attacking the Salma Dam and other development projects as well as commandeering attack helicopters given with Indian assistance, Bagchi said India executes these projects and hands them over to the Afghans.
“They are Afghan property and they are their responsibility. They belong to the people, they’re useful and important. We hope they won’t get damaged,” Bagchi said.
India says it is also concerned about “external maligning influences” in Afghanistan, pointing to Pakistan, which has played a very negative role in the transition. “Our primary concern is peace and stability and an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned process. Right now, that is not happening,” Bagchi said.