India pulls officials from Afghanistan’s Kandahar as Taliban widens control
July 11, 2021: India said on Sunday that it had temporarily withdrawn its personnel from its consulate in Kandahar, a major southern Afghan city, as Taliban fighters retained control amid the withdrawal of international forces. “Due to heavy fighting near the city of Kandahar, officials based in India have been withdrawn for the time being,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in a statement.
“India is closely monitoring the ongoing security situation in Afghanistan,” Bagchi said, adding that the Indian consulate in Kandahar was temporarily staffed by local staff. Taliban officials said Friday that the Sunni Muslim insurgent group has seized 85 percent of Afghanistan, as the United States and others withdraw most of their troops after 20 years of fighting.
Afghan government officials dismissed the claim as a propaganda campaign. On Friday, India’s foreign minister called for a reduction in violence, saying the situation in the war-torn country had a direct impact on regional security.
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