The Afghanistan embassy has announced its permanent closure in New Delhi owing
to persistent challenges from the Indian Government.
In an official statement, the Afghan embassy said, “The decision follows
the embassy’s earlier cessation of operations on September 30, a move made in
the hope that the Indian Government stance will favourably change to let the
mission operate normally.”
The embassy said it was ‘cognisant’ that some may attempt to characterise
this move as an internal conflict, allegedly involving diplomats who switched
allegiance to the Taliban, adding “that this decision is a result of broader
changes in policy and interests”.
“To the Afghan citizens in India, the Embassy extends its sincere
gratitude for their understanding and support throughout our mission’s tenure,”
it added.
Despite “limitations in resources and power”, the Afghan embassy said it
has worked “tirelessly for their betterment and in the absence of a legitimate
government in Kabul”.
Over the past two years and three months, the Afghan community in India
has witnessed a significant decline, with Afghan refugees, students, and
traders leaving the country, the embassy noted in its statement, adding that
the number has nearly halved since August 2021, with very limited new visas
being issued during this period.
“We assure the Afghan community that the mission operated with
transparency, accountability, and a commitment to fair treatment based on the
goodwill and interests of Afghanistan considering historic ties and bilateral
relations with India,” it added.
“Unfortunately, efforts have been made to tarnish our image and hinder
diplomatic efforts in order to justify the presence and work of
Taliban-appointed and affiliated diplomats.
In the face of these challenges, our committed team worked diligently in
the most difficult circumstances, prioritizing the interests of the 40 million
Afghans in every possible sphere from securing humanitarian aid and online
education scholarships to facilitating ease in trade and advocating for the
formation of a broad-based government,” the Afghan embassy stated further.
It added the Afghan embassy “exerted diplomatic pressure in its power on
those who defy the will of the Afghan people by failing to form an inclusive
government and denying millions of girls the right to attend school”.
As of now, there are no diplomats from the Afghan Republic in India.
Those who served in the national capital have safely reached third countries,
the embassy informed through its release, adding that the only individuals
present in India are diplomats affiliated with the Taliban, visibly attending
their regular online meetings.
“The diplomats of the Afghan Republic have handed over the mission solely
to the Indian government. It now rests upon the Indian government to decide the
fate of the mission, whether to maintain its closure or consider alternatives,
including the possibility of handing it over to Taliban diplomats.
The responsibility of diplomats appointed by the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan has officially come to an end. The unfortunate end of the Republic
mission marks the conclusion of the Afghan Republic in India,” it added.
“We have considered the historic events and current circumstances
carefully in arriving at this conclusion. We also extend our heartfelt
gratitude to the people of India for their support and assistance to
Afghanistan over the past 22 years.
We reiterate our commitment to serving the people of Afghanistan and will
continue to explore avenues to support our nation in these challenging times,”
the statement concluded.
Notably, the Afghan embassy announced the closure of its operations on
November 1, citing “lack of resources” and “failure to meet Afghanistan’s
interests” by the Taliban regime.
The embassy also made an “unequivocal statement” stating that certain
consulates that work on the instructions and funding from Kabul are not in
consonance with the objectives of a legitimate or elected government but rather
serve the interests of an “illegitimate regime”.
ANI
