Afghanistan Embassy in Delhi Urges India to Not Let Taliban Take Control of the Mission

The Afghanistan Embassy in India, linked to the previous Ashraf Ghani regime, on Sunday announced that it would be closing down its operations in the country.

In a press statement released after midnight, the embassy blamed “lack of support from the Indian government” and the failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan’s interests because of “absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul” for the decision to terminate operations.

The press noted also highlighted that it had become increasingly challenging to continue with embassy operations due to reduction of both personnel and resources.

Embassy Must be Transferred to ‘Legitimate’ Afghan Government

The embassy statement underscored that a ‘note verbale’ dated 25 Seteptember from the diplomatic mission, addressed to India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, had indeed been written by it.

The note verbale had been leaked in the media last week. Indian government sources said that they were still probing the contents of the leaked letter.

In its statement, the embassy reiterated its request to let the Afghan tricolour be hoisted on all the Afghan diplomatic properties in India, including the Embassy in New Delhi.

The statement also called upon New Delhi to take custody of the diplomatic properties in the country and facilitate their “smooth transition” to a “legitimate or an elected government”.

Significantly, the embassy statement pointed out that there may be some consulates in India who may receive “support and instructions” from the Taliban regime in Kabul.

“It is our firm belief that any actions taken by these consulates are not in consonance with the objectives of a legitimate or elected government and rather serve the interests of an illegitimate regime,” the embassy claimed.

The Afghan consulate in Mumbai has denied the "rumors" that the embassy is closing down its operations in India.

Separately, sources at the Afghanistan Embassy have informed Sputnik India that the Charge d’Affaires posted by the Taliban at the New Delhi embassy in May was still present in the Indian capital.

According to sources, the decision regarding the closure of the embassy, as requested by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, or the continuation of its operations under the Taliban-appointed ambassador, is now in the hands of the MEA.

The Taliban appointee has yet to present his credentials to the Indian government.

Like other countries, India has yet to extend diplomatic recognition to the Taliban regime in Kabul.

Explainers

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