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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.
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