As the Taliban seizes fresh territory in Kandahar, India evacuates 50 personnel from the consulate.

People acquainted with the incident claimed on Sunday that India has removed roughly 50 diplomats and security staff from its consulate in Kandahar, Afghanistan, due to the deteriorating security situation and the Taliban acquiring control of fresh areas around the southern Afghan city (July 11). The decision by India to temporarily close its consulate in Kandahar comes in the wake of Taliban insurgents capturing control of several critical locations in the province as well as western Afghanistan, causing widespread security worries.

The Indian embassy in Kabul stated on Tuesday that the embassy and consulates in Kandahar and Mazar-e-Sharif will not be closed. India's Ministry of External Affairs announced two days ago that it was closely following the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and its implications for the Indian people's safety and security.

At a press conference on Thursday, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi remarked, "Our response would be calibrated accordingly."In the last few weeks, Afghanistan has seen many terror strikes as the US prepares to remove its forces from the war-torn country by the end of August, ending a nearly two-decade military presence in the war-torn country. According to reports, at least two foreign missions in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, have halted their operations due to the region's rising violence.

Afghan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay informed Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on the situation in Afghanistan on Tuesday, amid mounting concerns in India about the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. In light of escalating episodes of violence in several parts of the country, the Indian embassy this week advised all Indians visiting, staying, and working in Afghanistan to exercise extreme vigilance concerning their security and avoid all non-essential travel.

India has played a significant role in maintaining Afghanistan's peace and stability. It has already contributed approximately USD three billion to the country's humanitarian and rehabilitation efforts. India has been supporting an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled national peace and reconciliation initiative. Mohammad Haneef Atmar, the Afghan Foreign Minister, visited India in March, and Jaishankar underlined to him India's long-term commitment to a peaceful, sovereign, and stable Afghanistan.