India Sends Humanitarian Aid to Afghan Refugees as Pakistan Continues Mass Deportations

Kabul – As Pakistan escalates the mass deportation of Afghan refugees, India has stepped forward with humanitarian assistance for thousands of affected families, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to supporting the Afghan people in times of crisis.

According to the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, India has provided food aid to around 5,000 Afghan families recently forced to return from Pakistan. The aid package, comprising 11 essential food items, was distributed through the Kabul office of the Directorate of Refugees, targeting families in greatest need.

India’s support was formally acknowledged in a public message from Maulvi Abdul Kabir, the Taliban-appointed Minister for Refugees and Repatriation. The message, delivered at an official aid distribution ceremony in Kabul by Zakirullah Zakir, head of the Coordination Department in the Prime Minister's Office, expressed gratitude to both the Indian government and its people.

“India’s assistance has arrived at a time of severe hardship for our people,” said Abdul Kabir, while also calling on other countries and international aid organizations to extend support for Afghan returnees. “We welcome all returnees and guarantee their safety and dignity under the country’s general amnesty,” he added.

Deputy Minister of Finance and Administration, Kalim al-Rahman Fani, acknowledged the many challenges faced by returning families despite the Islamic Emirate’s efforts to provide housing and essential services. He revealed that 58 new residential townships are being planned across 31 provinces to accommodate the large influx of displaced persons.

Since April, Pakistan has expelled hundreds of thousands of Afghan nationals, citing national security concerns and alleged ties between the Taliban and India—claims that remain unverified and unaddressed by the Taliban.

Against this backdrop, India’s quiet yet consistent humanitarian support offers a stark contrast to Pakistan’s forceful deportation campaign, highlighting New Delhi’s people-focused approach to regional diplomacy.

India has consistently emphasized that its assistance to Afghanistan is driven by humanitarian needs and the broader goal of regional stability. This latest initiative reflects New Delhi’s ongoing commitment to the Afghan people, even in the absence of formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban-led administration.

With inputs from IANS