Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed officials during the late-night Cabinet meeting on August 17 to ensure safe evacuation for all Indian citizens from Afghanistan. He also requested that shelter be provided to Sikhs, Hindus, and others fleeing the country in the wake of the Taliban takeover.
A meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security was called by PM Modi in view of the current situation in Afghanistan. Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the meeting. NSA Ajit Doval and Cabinet Secretary Rajeev Gauba, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and India's Ambassador in Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon were also present at the meeting.
According to a News 18 report, PM Modi stated that India must protect its citizens and provide refuge for those Sikh and Hindu minorities who wish to travel to India. He also said that India must help Afghan brothers and sister who are seeking assistance from India.
CCS received detailed information on the current security and political situation in Afghanistan.
In the aftermath of the Taliban's takeover in Kabul, India sent Tandon, the Indian ambassador to Kabul, and all its staff back in two military transport aircraft.
The Indian Air Force's military transport aircraft brought back around 150 people from Kabul, including Indian diplomats, officials and security personnel. On Monday, another flight evacuated 40 Kabul staffers.
The MEA stated earlier that the government's immediate priority is to get accurate information on all Indian nationals who are currently in Afghanistan.