New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that India has officially implemented a new visa module for Afghan nationals, replacing the previously used emergency visa system. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the new visa framework, which came into effect on April 29, aims to strengthen people-to-people connections between India and Afghanistan.
In a press briefing, Jaiswal stated, “I would like to introduce you to the new visa module in place for Afghan nationals. The old visa module, a program called the E-Emergency Ex-Miscellaneous Visa, has been discontinued, and we now have a new model that came into effect last month, on April 29.”
Under the updated policy, Afghan nationals are eligible to apply for Indian visas in six categories:
- Medical visa
- Medical attendant visa
- Business visa
- Entry visa
- Student visa
- UN diplomatic visa
Afghans currently residing in India on visas issued under the previous system are required to convert them in accordance with the new framework. They must approach the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi or other regional centers across the country.
This shift marks a resumption of visa services for Afghan nationals after nearly four years of suspension following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. Concerns over the safety of Indian diplomats had led India to halt most operations in Afghanistan and suspend regular visa issuance.
However, India has gradually re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul and renewed engagement with the Taliban administration. The move to resume visa services reflects India’s intention to revitalize bilateral ties and address humanitarian and developmental needs.
This renewed cooperation was further highlighted earlier this month when External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. The two leaders discussed ways to deepen bilateral engagement, including economic collaboration and consular matters.
Dr. Jaishankar thanked Muttaqi for his strong condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and welcomed his rejection of misinformation aimed at straining India-Afghanistan relations. “Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening. Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack,” Jaishankar wrote in a post on X.
He added, “Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports. Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and our continuing support for their development needs. Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward.”
Both sides also reiterated their commitment to expanding economic ties, particularly the development of the Chabahar Port—a key regional connectivity project. Other key areas of focus included the facilitation of visas for Afghan traders and medical patients and addressing the status of Afghan prisoners in India.
The Consulate General of Afghanistan in Mumbai also highlighted the conversation in a post, stating that Minister Muttaqi referred to India as a “key regional country” and expressed hope for further strengthening of historic Afghanistan-India relations. He reaffirmed Afghanistan’s balanced foreign policy goals and requested support in consular matters, including the return of Afghan nationals currently in Indian custody.
Dr. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to continued cooperation and assured that issues like visa facilitation and prisoner repatriation would receive prompt attention. Both ministers emphasized that collaboration in political, economic, and humanitarian spheres would be crucial in deepening bilateral ties in the months ahead. (ANI)
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