New Delhi – In a recent development, the Afghanistan Embassy in India has declared its impending closure, citing a lack of support from the Indian Government in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul two years ago.
The Embassy, once a bastion of diplomatic relations between the two nations, has been marred by internal strife, primarily stemming from conflicting allegiances between the Taliban’s nominee and the Ambassador appointed by the previous Ghani Government, Farid Mamundzay, who has been residing in London for several months.
The decision to shutter the Embassy was conveyed through an unsigned Note Verbale to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) this week, indicating a shutdown at the end of September. The Embassy’s plea for assistance, including visas for approximately 3,000 Afghan students scheduled to travel to India in 2021, went unanswered by New Delhi, further straining relations.
Furthermore, the note alluded to a lack of “diplomatic regard and friendly considerations” from India following the establishment of India’s mission in Kabul in June 2022, which had pledged loyalty to the previous Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
In a move that underscores the diplomatic turbulence, the Embassy has called on India to take safe custody of Afghan deposits in India and the India-Afghanistan Fund, in accordance with the Vienna Convention protocol for diplomatic relations. Additionally, it has requested assistance for the remaining diplomats and their families in leaving the country via exit permits.
A poignant request within the note is the plea for the Afghan tricolour, symbolizing the ousted democratic government of Afghanistan, to be allowed to fly over the mission. This move is seen as a stark reminder of the Taliban regime’s lack of international recognition.
The Ministry of External Affairs has refrained from making an official comment on the Note Verbale, stating that its “authenticity” is under examination, given the apparent departure of the Ambassador and diplomats to “third countries.” Sources close to the matter have highlighted internal disputes within the Embassy, notably the Taliban regime’s attempt to appoint its own Ambassador in Delhi in April 2023, met with resistance from Ambassador Mamundzay and his staff.
This unfolding diplomatic rift adds complexity to the already delicate international landscape surrounding Afghanistan and raises questions about the future of diplomatic relations between India and the war-torn nation.
As Afghanistan grapples with political transitions and international recognition, the India-Afghanistan relationship finds itself at a crossroads. The uncertain fate of Afghan assets in India and the Embassy’s closure underscore the evolving dynamics between the two nations. With no formal recognition of the Taliban regime on the horizon, the diplomatic road ahead remains uncertain.
