New Delhi (HRNW)- Concerned about the changing political situation in Afghanistan and growing ties with Pakistan, India has introduced a new visa system for Afghan citizens, ending the ongoing emergency visa series.
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, under this new system, Afghans can now apply for six specific types of visas.
According to reports, India had introduced the emergency visa in 2021 when the political crisis in Afghanistan intensified after the Taliban came to power, and thousands of Afghan citizens were busy trying to leave the country. However, now India has abolished this temporary visa model and established a new permanent system.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the new module, which has been implemented in place of the old e-Emergency Visa, provides facilities such as medical treatment, education, business, UN diplomatic missions, entry and medical attendant visas.
Experts are calling this decision a new attempt by India to normalize relations with Afghanistan, while some analysts believe that India is taking this step with the intention of restoring its political and economic influence in Afghanistan, especially at a time when Pakistan and Afghanistan seem to be adopting a joint strategy to counter terrorism in the region.
Meanwhile, the Afghan Ministry of Economy has also called this new visa system a positive step. Assistant Minister of Economy Abdul Latif Nazari says that facilitating the acquisition of Indian visas for Afghan citizens, especially businessmen, can boost bilateral economic and trade relations. He said that this step can open a new chapter in constructive relations between New Delhi and Kabul.
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