Dismissing Claims Of Permanent Closure, Afghanistan Embassy To Continue Operations In India, Foreign Affairs Deputy Says

Contrary to the claims made by the former ambassador of Afghanistan in India, Farid Mamundzay, about the permanent closure of the embassy in Delhi, Afghanistan's political deputy of Foreign Affairs, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanakzai, affirmed on Wednesday (29 November) that the embassy would continue its regular operations.

Stanakzai stated in an interview to Afghanistan’s national television that the embassy in Delhi remained in contact with the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Afghan consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad were active as reported by The New Indian Express.

India has not officially recognised the Taliban government.

Although there have been reports of disarray in the Afghan embassy, with past diplomats seeking asylum in other countries, Zakia Wardak, the Consul-General of Mumbai, has been overseeing the embassy's functioning in Delhi.

Wardak, in a statement, reassured that the embassy would persist in its work for the people of Afghanistan.

The embassy had released a statement on 24 November, countering the closure claims and emphasising its functionality.

The statement underscored the historical ties between India and Afghanistan and assured the continued operation of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New Delhi.

It also mentioned consular services for Afghan nationals in Delhi.

The embassy urged everyone to disregard the statements from former Afghan diplomats based abroad, emphasising their lack of standing in the internal affairs of the Afghan Embassy in Delhi.