The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi announced that it will cease its operations from October 1, 2023, citing a lack of diplomatic support from India and the absence of a legitimate government in Kabul.
The embassy said that it will continue to provide emergency consular services to Afghan nationals in India, but it will not be able to function as a regular diplomatic mission.
It also said that it has failed to meet the expectations of serving the interests of Afghanistan and its people, in an official statement issued on September 30, 2023.
The statement came as a surprise to many observers, as India has been one of the closest allies of Afghanistan in the region. India has invested billions of dollars in various development projects in Afghanistan, and has provided humanitarian assistance, education, health care, and security training to Afghan people. India has also hosted thousands of Afghan refugees, students, and businessmen, who have contributed to the cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
However, India did not recognize the Taliban regime, which took over Afghanistan in August 2021, following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces.
India has expressed its concern over the human rights situation, the terrorist threats, and the regional instability under the Taliban rule. India has also evacuated its own staff from its embassy in Kabul before the fall of the city, and has no diplomatic presence in Afghanistan since then.
The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi has been run by staff appointed by the former government of President Ashraf Ghani, who fled the country after the Taliban takeover.
The embassy had received permission from the Indian authorities to continue its work until further notice. However, according to some reports, the Afghan ambassador left India several months ago, and other diplomats have departed for third countries after receiving asylum.
The embassy statement said that it hoped to reach an agreement with the Indian government to ensure that the interests of Afghans living, working, studying, and doing business in India are safeguarded. It also thanked India for its friendship and support over the years.
The Indian government has not officially responded to the embassy statement yet. However, some sources said that India is waiting for the United Nations to decide on the recognition of the Taliban government, and is also in touch with other regional countries to coordinate its policy on Afghanistan. India has also said that it will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan through multilateral channels.
The closure of the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi marks a sad end to a long-standing diplomatic relationship between the two countries. As well as, It also raises questions about the future of Afghanistan and its people under the Taliban rule.
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