Afghan Embassy in India Shuts Down Due to Insufficient Government Support – Said By Afghanistan

Afghan Embassy to Cease Operations in India from October 1, 2023

The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, India, has suspended its operations starting from October 1, 2023. On September 30, the embassy issued a statement expressing their regret at providing this information.

Due to a lack of support from the Indian government and resource constraints, we had to take this step. After considering the historical ties and partnership between Afghanistan and India, this decision was made after discussions.

Details of the announcement made by the Afghan Embassy in the issued statement are as follows:

Closure of the Afghan Embassy in India had been imminent for several days. Three officials of the Afghan Embassy had informed Reuters news agency in India on September 3 that they were instructed to close their embassy in India. They stated that all embassy-related work had been halted. All diplomats have left India and gone to Europe and the United States.

Reportedly, the Indian government is dissatisfied with the actions of the Afghan government. Officials have stated that Mamundzai was trying to create tension between the Taliban and the Indian government. In media reports, it has been mentioned that the Indian government has not provided visa extensions for Afghan embassy staff beyond September. These employees are now in the process of leaving the embassy.

Mamundzai is considered close to Pakistan

Officials in Kabul had previously accused Mamundzai of working to bring Indian government leaders into discussions. It has also been reported that India has not recognized the Taliban government. Therefore, the Indian government appointed the former Afghan charge d’affaires (Fareed Mamundzai) as the real ambassador to Afghanistan. According to media reports, the Indian government is unhappy with the actions of the Afghan government. Officials have stated that Mamundzai was trying to create tension between the Taliban and the Indian government.

Mamundzai is geographically close to Pakistan

In fact, during this period, officials have said that Mamundzai has not been appointed by the Afghan government’s leaders. Indeed, no country, including India, has recognized the Taliban government. Therefore, the Indian government has appointed the former Afghan charge d’affaires, Fareed Mamundzai, as the real ambassador there. According to media reports, the Indian government has not extended the visa deadline for the employees of the Afghan embassy, beyond September. Keeping this in mind, we decided to close the Afghanistan mission in India by the end of September.

Mamundzai’s appointment came during the tenure of the Ghani government in Afghanistan, which was the previous government. After that, in April 2023, Kadir Shah, the Trade Counsellor, wrote a letter to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, informing them that Mamundzai had been appointed as the Chargé d’affaires (temporary ambassador) for India.

Later, the Taliban government confirmed his appointment. After coming to power, the Taliban government has so far appointed a total of 14 ambassadors in various countries around the world. They released all these positions by choosing their own diplomats. While this has not happened in India yet. On the other hand, after coming to power, India closed its embassy in Afghanistan in 2021. However, a technical team is working there to complete humanitarian assistance.

Taliban Seeks Recognition

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took control of the entire Afghanistan, including Kabul. Since then, they have been continuously demanding recognition from the international community. In the last week of July, the Taliban’s Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid, gave an interview to the Al-Arabiya news channel. During this, he had said that- The government has fulfilled all the requirements for recognition.

However, we are not recognized by countries because of American pressure. We are appealing to countries that do not recognize us under US pressure. We want powerful Islamic countries to recognize us as their government. Let us tell you that India has not yet recognized the Taliban government.

It should be noted that we are not recognized by other countries due to pressure from the United States. We are appealing to countries that do not recognize us under US pressure. We want powerful Islamic countries to recognize us as their government. Let us tell you that India has not yet recognized the Taliban government.