Afghanistan:- When the Taliban first seized power of Afghanistan in the 1995, there was a mass exodus from the country while among those who stayed, many put up a fierce resistance. The Taliban’s return 25 years on (August 2021) has forced millions to flee once more and again instigated widespread backlash from people who remain. Over a year after the Taliban’s ascent to power in Afghanistan, the plight of Afghans is worsening. The economic situation is dire, malnutrition prices are increasing, women’s rights are being curtailed, there is continuing migration and internal displacement, and the health care system is crumbling – the already high maternal mortality rates are thought to have increased four-fold.

The recent ban on women from universities has began unrest among young civilians especially aspiring youths. To say where India stands with respect to relations with Afghanistan, our country has, so far, supplied 45 tons of medical assistance in 13 batches. The supplies included essential life-saving medicines, anti-TB medicines, 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines etc. To ensure food security in Afghanistan, India has also provided food assistance of 40,000 tonne of wheat. This happened after urgent appeals were made by the United Nations in October to assist the Afghan people.