Afghanistan Shuts its Embassy in India

Image Credit: Google

The Afghan embassy in India, which was loyal to the former West-backed government, has announced its closure, stating that activities would halt from October 1.

The Statement of Afghan Embassy

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Afghan embassy stated that it hoped to negotiate an agreement with the Indian government to protect the interests of Afghans living, working, learning, and doing business in India.

According to the United Nations' refugee agency, Afghans make up around one-third of the nearly 40,000 refugees registered in India. However, this statistic does not include people who are not registered with the UN.

“There has been a significant reduction in both personnel and resources available to us, making it increasingly challenging to continue operations,” the statement said.

The shutdown comes more over two years after the Taliban regime stormed back to power, causing the collapse of President Ashraf Ghani's government in the aftermath of the US troop withdrawal after 20 years of war and occupation.

“It is with profound sadness, regret, and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations,” the embassy said.

The Reason of Closure

According to the statement, the decision was made owing to a lack of "crucial support" from India, which has impaired the embassy's capacity to carry out its obligations.

There were also flaws in meeting expectations to best serve Afghan civilians due to "the absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul," according to the statement, referring to the Taliban authority.

The closure comes on the heels of allegations that the ambassador and other top diplomats had left India in recent months, citing infighting among those who remained in New Delhi. However, the embassy dismissed rumors of internal infighting among its employees, calling them "unfounded."

India to Act as a Caretaker of Embassy

India will take control of the embassy in a caretaker capacity, quoted the statement issued.

No Response from Indian Foreign Ministry

The Indian foreign ministry had not issued a statement in reaction to the announcement at the time of publication.

No country has formally recognized Afghanistan's new government, but the Taliban is recognized as the de facto ruling authority.

Many Afghan embassies and consulates are now in limbo, with ambassadors appointed by the old government refusing to hand over control of embassy buildings and property to Taliban agents.

India Does not Recognize Current Taliban Government

India has not recognized the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, which took power in August 2021. It evacuated its own staff from Kabul two years ago, ahead of the US pullout from Afghanistan, and no longer maintains a diplomatic presence there.

Nonetheless, New Delhi is eager to maintain ties with a country where its regional adversary Pakistan retains enormous power. Indian envoys had already met with Taliban leaders in Doha, Qatar's capital, where the organisation maintains an office.

Past Humanitarian Aid

Last year, India donated relief supplies to Afghanistan, including wheat, medication, COVID-19 vaccines, and winter clothing, to alleviate shortages.

India dispatched a team of diplomats to its embassy in Kabul in June of last year.

Before the Taliban took control, India provided training and military equipment to Afghan security forces but had no troops on the ground. It was also the main supplier of development funding to Afghanistan in the region.