Not ripe to comment on India's stand on Afghan developments: Jaishankar

New York: The developments in Afghanistan following the Taliban's advancement is not one on which a comment could be passed at this early stage, said Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar. He said his government is now focusing on evacuating the Indians stranded in the war-torn country.

While some of the countries came forward acknowledging the Taliban takeover of the Afghan governance, Jaishankar declined to comment at this point of time whether India is in touch with the Taliban leadership.

Minister Jaishankar, who is in New York for the UN Security Council meeting, said that the evolving condition in Kabul is being keenly watched and it is not the right time to comment on what is India's approach to the Taliban's leaders while replying to reporters there.

Asked whether India will continue its investments and engagement in Afghanistan, the minister said the "historical relationship with the Afghan people" continues. "

However, he maintained that the historic relationship India has with the Afghan people is intact and will continue. Now the focus of the government is on the safety and security of the Indians there, he added.

India has assured that it would repatriate Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that the country will stand by its friends and allies in the war-torn country, which many are desperate to leave.

On Tuesday, India evacuated the last of its staff from the embassy in Kabul including the ambassador and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel who were in charge of security.

Tags: