The first consignment of medical aid from India arrived at the Afghan capital on Saturday morning. Dubbed a ‘gift from the people of India’ by Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India, it includes 1.6 metric tonnes of life-saving medicines. The supplies will be handed over to representatives of the World Health Organisation in Kabul and will be administered at the Indira Gandhi Children Hospital.
The supplies were sent on a return flight after 10 Indians and 94 Afghans were brought to Delhi on Friday, including members of Afghan minority communities. The minority community members carried with them two ‘Swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib’ and some ancient Hindu manuscripts, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.
“Copies of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, Sri Ramcharit Manas and other Hindu holy scriptures and rare manuscripts from Asamaya Mandir in Kabul were also brought back by members of the Sikh Sangat and Hindu devotees on a special flight today,” added Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
“Under Operation Devi Shakti, a special Kam Air flight arranged by India has arrived in New Delhi from Kabul. It has brought 10 Indians and 94 Afghans including members of the Afghan Hindu-Sikh minority community. Among the evacuees are nine children, including three infants. On the return flight, India dispatched humanitarian assistance consisting of medical supplies to Afghanistan,” tweeted MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Friday.
The Indian government and the Afghan embassy in Delhi had reportedly coordinated to arrange the flight. Earlier reports had also indicated that the plane was likely to fly back over 90 Afghan nationals stranded in India along with medical supplies.
Since the Taliban took over the reins of the Afghanistan government in August, India has brought back several hundred individuals under ‘Operation Devi Shakti’. According to the MEA, 448 Indians and 206 Afghans (including members of the Afghan Hindu and Sikh minority communities) have been evacuated from the country.
