As the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans looked for ways to escape what they see as a return of a ruthless fundamentalist rule.

Afghanistans chief peace envoy Abdullah Abdullah speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. It also signals a gradual shift in India's approach in dealing with the ongoing Afghan peace process that began two years ago, for which it has been invited to take part in for the first time. Still, India has long been reluctant in its direct engagement in Afghanistan peace talks. In May, Khalilzad called for an increased role for India in the Afghan peace process and asked New Delhi to engage directly with the Taliban. His participation was seen by many observers as India shedding its reluctance in engaging directly with the Afghan government and the Taliban.

FILE - In this March 9, 2020, photo, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, center, second Vice President Sarwar Danish, right, and first Vice President Amrullah Saleh, left, at an inauguration ceremony at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan. Ghani and political rival Abdullah Abdullah have signed a power-sharing agreement eight months after both declared themselves the winner of last September's presidential election, a spokesman for Ghani said Sunday, May 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)KABUL Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and political rival Abdullah Abdullah signed a power-sharing agreement, two months after both declared themselves the winner of last September's presidential election, Ghanis spokesman said Sunday. The political deal would see Ghani remain president of the war-torn nation, tweeted his spokesman Sediq Sediqqi. Omed Maisam, a spokesman for Abdullahs team, confirmed an agreement had been signed at the presidential palace.