‘Persistent challenges from Indian govt’: Afghan embassy shuts down in India
Embassy calls it “difficult choice” made after facing constant pressure from both the Taliban and the Indian government to relinquish control and after the visa of its diplomats were not extended
The Afghanistan embassy on Friday (November 24) announced its permanent closure in New Delhi.
In an official statement, the embassy said it has taken the decision after facing “persistent challenges from the Indian government” and upon the closing of its operations on September 30 this year.
“The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New Delhi regrets to announce the permanent closure of its diplomatic mission in New Delhi, effective from November 23, owing to persistent challenges from the Indian government,” the statement said.
“The decision follows the embassy’s earlier cessation of operations on 30th September 2023, a move made in the hope that the Indian government’s stance would evolve favourably for the normal continuation of the embassy…” it added.
The statement said that the embassy had to make the “difficult choice” after facing constant pressure from both the Taliban and the Indian government to relinquish control and after the visa of its diplomats were not extended despite an eight-week wait.
Stating that its decision may show that it was the outcome of an internal conflict, allegedly involving diplomats who crossed over to the Taliban side, the embassy said the decision in fact was the “result of broader changes in policy and interests.”
“To the Afghan citizens in India, we extend our sincere gratitude for their understanding and support throughout the mission’s tenure. Despite limitations in resources and power, we have worked tirelessly for their betterment and in the absence of a legitimate government in Kabul,” the embassy said.
It said that over the past two years, the number of Afghans coming to the country has drastically declined with Afghan refugees, students and traders leaving the country and the Indian government issuing fewer visas in the said time period.
The embassy said that while it has worked tirelessly for the Afghan people, “efforts have been made to tarnish our image and hinder diplomatic efforts in order to justify the presence and work of Taliban-appointed and affiliated diplomats.”
Invoking terms of the Vienna Convention of 1961, the embassy also urged the Indian government to keep its properties safe and the Afghan flag hoisted on embassy buildings.
It said it is handing over the mission solely to the Indian government which now has to decide whether to maintain its closure or consider alternatives, including the possibility to hand it over to Taliban-appointed diplomats.
“The responsibility of diplomats appointed by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has officially come to an end. The unfortunate end of the Republic mission marks the conclusion of the Afghan Republic in India,” the statement read.
The embassy has been headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay – appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani government – and he was operating as the Afghan envoy even after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021. In April-May this year, the embassy faced a power struggle in the wake of reports of the Taliban appointing a charge d’affaires to head the mission instead of Mamundzay.
The embassy had then issued a statement saying that there was no change in its leadership.
India is yet to recognise the Taliban regime and has been pitching for the formation of an inclusive government in Kabul while insisting that the Afghan soil must not be used for terrorist activities against any country.