"The MoD, Afghanistan, encouraged by our humanitarian aid and placement of our technical team in the Indian Embassy, Kabul, had requested EoI kabul through an official letter on 25.06.22 requesting direct communication with the Afghan cadets trained in IMA/ NDA, India. Govt agencies including MEA facilitated talks between MoD afghanistan and Afghan cadets and they finally returned after assurances of safety and employment from the Afghan Minister of Defence on 28.07.22," read a statement issued by the Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence.

Around two dozen Afghan Military cadets, who returned to Kabul, had passed the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun on June 11, reported Hindustan Times newspaper.

The cadets were reportedly stranded in India ever since the Taliban insurgents took control over Kabul on Aug 15 last year.

They were recently facilitated to return back to their country.

According to media reports, the Taliban-led Afghan government is keen to use the skills of these cadets to maintain security in the country.

"The cadets have got all assurances of safety and are welcomed with open arms by the Taliban," a source told IBNS.

Afghanistan is currently ruled by Taliban forces which were backed by Pakistan but the latest move related to cadets signifies something geopolitically advantageous for India which has remained engaged with Afghanistan even after the Taliban took over.