RASC News Agency: Former Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai has appealed to India to resume its scholarship programs for Afghanistani students during a recent meeting in Kabul with Anand Prakash, Special Representative of India’s Minister of External Affairs. The meeting provided a platform for discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and assessing the broader regional dynamics. In a statement issued on Sunday, Karzai’s office expressed gratitude for India’s longstanding support to the Afghanistani people and emphasized the critical importance of sustaining educational assistance. Karzai stressed that the resumption of scholarship opportunities would not only benefit Afghanistani students but also fortify the historical ties between the two nations.
He also underscored the urgent need to streamline the issuance of academic visas for Afghanistani students, expressing hope that the obstacles impeding their education in India would soon be resolved. His call comes at a time when, following the collapse of the former Afghanistani government led by Ashraf Ghani, India suspended its scholarship initiatives and revoked thousands of student visas. This abrupt policy shift stranded many Afghanistani students, preventing them from returning to India to complete their studies, and leaving countless academic pursuits unfinished. Recent reports suggest that Afghanistani students continue to face considerable challenges in extending their visas in India, further compounding their hardships. Over the past two decades, India had become a leading destination for Afghanistani scholars, regularly offering a substantial number of scholarships and playing a pivotal role in shaping Afghanistan’s future intellectual class.
The senior Indian diplomat’s visit to Kabul unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, following a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. In the wake of the attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, banned Pakistani nationals from entering the country, and expelled Pakistani diplomats. In retaliation, Pakistan closed several ports and restricted its airspace to Indian flights, while warning of the potential complete termination of the Indus Waters Treaty if hostilities persist. These developments highlight the complex and fragile nature of India-Pakistan relations and underscore their profound impact on India’s broader regional engagement, particularly its educational and diplomatic ties with Afghanistan.
