India has been advocating unrestricted aid to Afghanistan since the humanitarian crisis began

India has supplied the 13th batch of medical assistance consisting of essential medicines and medical/surgical items to Afghanistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.

This was "in continuation with our special relationship with the people of Afghanistan and in view of the urgent appeals made by the United Nations to assist the Afghan people," the MEA noted.

The medical/surgical items included Pediatric Stethoscope, Sphygmomanometer mobile type with pediatric BP cuff, infusion pump, drip chamber set, electro cautery, nylon sutures etc.

These were handed over to authorities of the Indira Gandhi Children Hospital, Kabul.

Till date, India has supplied almost 45 tons of medical assistance, which included essential life saving medicines, anti-TB medicines, 500,000 doses of COVID vaccine, and medical/surgical items. In addition, India has also provided 40,000 MTs of wheat for the Afghan people.

India did not officially recognise the Taliban government after they took control of the country in August last year and Indian officials vacated the Embassy in Kabul.

However, a "technical team" was sent to the Indian Embassy in Kabul in June this year. This was "in order to closely monitor and coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders for the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and in continuation of our engagement with the Afghan people," the MEA had said.

It is worth pointing out that India has been at the forefront of advocating unrestricted aid to Afghanistan in order to solve the growing humanitarian crisis in the country.