India resumes visa services for Afghans after 4-yr hiatus amid cautious renewal of diplomatic ties
The updated portal lists categories including student, business, medical, medical attendant, entry, and UN diplomat visas. Entry visas are now available to artists, cultural professionals, academics, and others invited to participate in cultural events hosted by recognised Indian institutions.
While no official public announcement has been made, a notification posted on the official visa portal—indianvisaonline.gov.in—confirmed the rollout of a 'New AFGHAN Visa' module in late April.
New Delhi: In a significant policy shift, India has resumed granting visas to Afghan citizens across multiple categories, nearly four years after suspending all visa services following the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan.
Also eligible under this category are children from previous marriages of Afghan nationals married to Indian citizens or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders, Afghan nationals who own property in India, dependent parents of Afghan students enrolled in Indian educational institutions and parents of students under the age of 18.
The business visa category has been broadened to include Afghan investors, entrepreneurs, and individuals intending to establish industrial or business ventures in India. Sportspersons and coaches with contracts for participation in commercial sports events in India are also eligible. The category also facilitates frequent long-term business visits.
India had suspended all visa services to Afghans in August 2021 following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul and the withdrawal of US-led forces. In response to the deteriorating security situation, Indian embassies and consulates were shut down in Afghanistan. At the time, India introduced an e-Emergency X-Miscellaneous visa which was primarily reserved for members of Afghanistan's Hindu and Sikh minorities.
Also Read: A look at India's evolving engagement with Taliban over the years
Re-engagement with Taliban
The reopening of visa channels aligns with India's cautious diplomatic outreach to the Taliban administration. On 15 May, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a phone conversation with Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking the first ministerial-level contact between the two sides since the Taliban's return to power.
This followed an earlier meeting on 27 April in Kabul between senior Indian diplomat Anand Prakash and Muttaqi, where they discussed political and trade issues as well as regional developments. Afghan media reported that the Taliban expressed interest in enhancing investment ties with India and requested support for Afghan students and medical patients seeking to travel to India.
On his part, Prakash reiterated India's commitment to development cooperation and expressed optimism about expanding bilateral ties across various sectors. He also conveyed India's readiness to revive stalled infrastructure projects, many of which were halted following the administration change in Afghanistan.
During recent diplomatic talks, Muttaqi expressed the Taliban government's interest in deepening diplomatic and economic relations with India. Muttaqi highlighted Afghanistan's 'investment-friendly environment' and encouraged Indian businesses to explore emerging economic opportunities in the country, according to a statement by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: Taliban rejects US peace deal 5 yrs after Kabul's fall. What this means for Afghan citizens, neighbours
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