New Delhi: India on Thursday, October 7, said that the vandalisation of a Gurdwara in Kabul raises concerns not just for India but for the world and the international community.
"Obviously it raised concerns not just for us, but I suppose across the world," MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said here. "It is important that the international community continue to insist on the fulfilment of goals outlined in the UN Security Council resolution," he further said at the weekly media briefing answering questions.
According to reports, the Gurdwara Karte Parwan in Kabul was vandalised a few days ago.
It may be mentioned here that under the presidency of India, the UN Security Council resolution on Afghanistan was adopted on August 30.
The MEA spokesperson also said that issues relating to the Afghan situation were figured during US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's talks with Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla in Delhi. Both sides agreed that there was a need to ensure that terrorism does not emanate from Afghan soil.
In fact, even during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit in September, the issues figured prominently at the bilateral discussions between PM Modi and US President Joe Biden and in a separate meeting between the prime minister US Vice President Kamala Harris.
"We highlighted our perspective on the role of Pakistan and what are our concerns regarding that," Mr Bagchi said.
In key deliberations, the US Deputy Secretary of State, who held meetings with Foreign Secretary Shringla and NSA Ajit Doval, had asserted that Washington firmly stands for India's 'national security'.
In yet another crucial statement, she also had said that – "No country is in a rush to recognise or give legitimacy to the Taliban."
No direct Delhi-Kabul flights soon:
Meanwhile, India is unlikely to resume direct flights between New Delhi and Kabul soon. The MEA spokesperson said that he did not have any "update" on the resumption of the flights between India and Afghanistan.
"It is a complicated and sensitive issue. There are various factors that need to be taken into account," he said.
Before the Taliban takeover of the war-hit Afghanistan, there were direct flights between Delhi and Kabul operated by Air India and KAM Air. Lately, the Taliban leadership has requested the Indian government to 'resume' flights between Kabul and New Delhi. In fact, in the first such 'official communication', the Taliban regime in Afghanistan urged the DGCA for the resumption of flights.
Tourist Visas:
More than a year since New Delhi had completely 'suspended tourist visas' in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Central government has announced that it would begin issuing visas from October 15.
Initially, the tourists will be allowed entry into India only on chartered flights. Sources said that those wanting to visit India on scheduled commercial flights would have to wait till November 15, sources said.
