Taliban rule in Afghanistan : Indian govt holds fire on Afghan trainees in IMA Dehradun
Tuesday, 17 August 2021 | Gajendra Singh Negi | Dehradun
About 60 officers of the Afghan National Army are currently undergoing training in IMA
With the Taliban taking control over the whole of Afghanistan after the meek surrender of the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) the fate of about 60 officers undergoing training at the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) hangs in the balance. The authorities at IMA are in constant touch with the Army Headquarters on the issue. A red alert is said to have been sounded in the academy and the Foreign Gentlemen Cadets (FGCs) of Afghanistan are being kept under strict vigil.
Their trainers are said to be taking good care of the FGCs of Afghanistan who are concerned with the turn of events in their country. According to reliable sources these cadets are at present not in the academy and are undergoing training at an undisclosed location.
The dilemma of the authorities is understandable since the Indian government has not recognised the Taliban so far which has vowed to rename the country as Islamic State of Afghanistan. In such a situation the fate of these cadets in IMA remains shrouded in suspense. It is pertinent to mention here that the Taliban forces are antagonistic to the ANA and in such a situation these officers face the prospect of detention once they return to their own country.
Under the initiative to forge better relationships with friendly foreign countries, the Ministry of External Affairs undertakes the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme under which the entire cost of training of foreign trainees is borne by the country. Under this programme the cadets of countries like Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Bhutan, Myanmar and others get training in the IMA.
Former commandant of IMA Lieutenant General ( Retd) Gambhir Singh Negi told The Pioneer that the situation is tricky and the government of India would have to take the final decision on these officers of ANA undergoing training at IMA.
When contacted the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the IMA told this correspondent that there are about 60 cadets of Afghanistan who are undergoing training in the academy. She said that their training is going on as usual.
