India Relaunches Visa Services for Afghanistan: India and Afghanistan’s relations are increasing in relations amid tension in relations with neighboring Pakistan. India has resumed visa services for Afghan citizens amidst increasing warmth in relations with the Taliban. However, initially India will issue visas to the sick people of Afghanistan on the basis of cases.

The central government has issued a notification on the official visa portal indianvisaonline.gov.in. Through this, the Central Government has launched the ‘New Afghan Visa’ module. It includes six category visas. However, quoting high -level sources, ET said, the Government of India will give priority to visas on the basis of severity of health problems for the citizens of Afghanistan.

Government of India updates visa portal

The Government of India has updated its official visa portal. On this new updated portal, the visa category has included students, business, medical, medical attendants, entry and United Nation Diplomat Visa. To issue visa, applicants are required to upload their passport and national identity card with a recent front-facing photo. These documents should include personal information including the name, date of birth, nationality and expiry date of the applicant.

Diplomatic connectivity between India and Taliban rule

Visa services for Afghan citizens on behalf of India have been started through increasing diplomatic contact between India and Taliban rule. Last month, India’s Foreign Minister S.K. Jaishankar had a phone conversation with Taliban Foreign Minister Aamir Khan Mottaki. During this time, Mottaki condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, for which S.K. Jaishankar thanked him.

The Taliban government of Afghanistan wants to use both the International North-South Transport Corridor (Instc) and Chabahar Port to do international trade, so that the Taliban can reduce its dependence on Pakistani ports. However, India-Afghanistan-Iran has already agreed to a tripartite agreement on Chabahar Port.