Taliban Seeks Diplomatic Presence In India Amid Afghan Embassy Closure

The Taliban have made a request to the Indian government, urging it to allow appointment of their dedicated diplomat in New Delhi to oversee bilateral relations, given the effective closure of the Afghan embassy in the city.

While India has not officially recognised the current government in Kabul, it took the step of reopening its embassy in Afghanistan's capital last year.

Since then, India has been actively engaged in humanitarian efforts and collaboration with local authorities to provide essential aid.

Several Afghan diplomats, including the former 'ambassador' Farid Mamundzay, who were originally appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani administration in New Delhi, have already departed from India, seeking asylum in Western nations.

Mamundzay had reportedly communicated with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), asserting that the Afghan embassy had no choice but to cease operations due to a lack of support from the Indian government.

Despite the closure of the Afghan embassy in Delhi, the consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad remain functional.

The Indian government has tasked these consulates with temporarily shouldering the responsibilities of the embassy.

Zakia Wardak, the Afghan consul general in Mumbai, expressed her gratitude to the Indian government for their support and affirmed the consulate's commitment to offering consular, educational, and commercial assistance to Afghan nationals.

According to a top Taliban source quoted in a Times of India report, it’s important for the Taliban to have their own official in India not just for consular services but also to build trust.

Substantial number of Afghan students pursue their education in India, necessitating visa and consular services.

Additionally, numerous Afghan citizens visit India for medical treatment.

Earlier this year, the Taliban designated a charge d'affaires to oversee relations with India.

However, this diplomat faced physical impediments when attempting to access the embassy, courtesy of Mamundzay and his team of diplomats.

Mamundzay has voiced concerns that the Afghan embassy in New Delhi has gradually lost its importance since India resumed its embassy operations in Kabul in June 2022.

Indian government sources have provided additional context to these unfolding events, noting that Mamundzay himself departed from India several months ago.

Reports have also emerged of diplomats leaving for third countries and receiving asylum, along with accounts of internal discord among embassy personnel.