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NEW DELHI: Noor Zahid Paiman needed to acquire his laptop science diploma from an Indian college this yr and return to Afghanistan to develop into a lecturer.

However like many different Afghan college students enrolled in Indian faculties, he has been unable to go to his campus at Sharda College in Noida for half a yr now, ready for his visa to be renewed.

About 4,000 college students from Afghanistan used to reach in India yearly to pursue greater schooling — a whole bunch of them on Indian authorities scholarships.

Many traveled residence final yr when India went right into a lockdown throughout a devastating second wave of the pandemic. They’ve been unable to return ever since, because the lifting of virus restrictions in India coincided with the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in mid-August, which prompted New Delhi’s choice to droop diplomatic ties with Kabul.

The scholars have been holding quite a few protests in entrance of Indian consulates throughout the nation. Within the newest one final week, dozens demonstrated in entrance of the Indian embassy constructing.

“Our future is at stake now since we now have already missed one full semester as a result of lack of visa,” Paiman, a local of the jap Khost province, advised Arab Information over the cellphone.

“For 5 months, I’ve been stranded right here and my remaining yr examination is already taking place. I’m actually nervous about what’s going to occur to my future,” he mentioned. “I had plans to develop into a college professor and work for our folks.”
When the Indian embassy suspended its operations, it canceled the visas it had issued, asking holders to reapply on-line.  

College students say there was no response to their functions. “I had a sound visa, however the Indian authorities canceled it, and this occurred with round 2,500 college students who’re caught in Afghanistan,” Paiman mentioned.

Farzana Ayubi, additionally from Khost, discovered herself in the identical scenario. She questioned why New Delhi has not helped them depart Afghanistan like different international locations did.

“Different international locations who weren’t near Kabul evacuated Afghan college students,” the second-year enterprise pupil at Goa College mentioned. “Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, European international locations and Bangladesh evacuated their college students from Afghanistan, however India remains to be ready.”

Jalal Ahmad Baryal, from the Oruzgan province, was fearful about what would occur as he was about to overlook his remaining exams on the Gandhi Institute of Expertise and Administration in Bangalore.

“For 20 years, the Indian authorities was with us,” he mentioned. “However on this hour of grave disaster, it’s not serving to us.”

It’s unclear whether or not the coed visa coverage will change. 

“On the particular challenge of visas, I’ve to refer you to the Dwelling Ministry,” India’s Overseas Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi mentioned.

However officers on the Dwelling Ministry haven’t replied since final week regardless of makes an attempt to succeed in them. The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi mentioned additionally it is ready for Indian authorities to reply.

“It’s a tough scenario for us,” Abdul Haq Azad, press secretary on the embassy, advised Arab Information. “Now we have been pursuing the matter with the Indian authorities for the previous couple of months, however to this point there has not been any response.”

Shukria Barakzai, former Afghan lawmaker and ambassador to Norway, mentioned it was “unbelievable” that neighboring India had turned its again on Afghans at a time of disaster whereas international locations distant provided them shelter. “Even international locations which might be distant, similar to Mexico, are attempting to help Afghans. Australia, Europe, America, Canada and even some international locations in Africa are attempting to offer a secure shelter for Afghans,” she advised Arab Information.

“We predict our pals to face beside us,” she mentioned. “We’ll bear in mind our pals, their assist and help to us.”