Two years after the Taliban takeover of Kabul, the Afghan embassy in New Delhi has announced the suspension of its operations. The decision was attributed to a lack of cooperation from both the Taliban regime and the Indian government, marking a significant development in the ongoing power struggle within Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions.
TUG OF WAR
The embassy, previously run by diplomats from the democratically elected Afghan government led by Ashraf Ghani, had been caught in a tug-of-war between the Taliban regime and its predecessor. The closure, effective as of October 1, has raised concerns about the implications for diplomatic relations and services to Afghan citizens.
THE BLAME
The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi placed the blame squarely on India, citing insufficient support, a reduction in personnel and resources, and an inability to meet the expectations of serving Afghanistan’s interests as reasons for the shutdown. It expressed deep regret over this decision, emphasizing that it was taken after careful consideration and taking into account historic ties.
They alleged a lack of support from the Indian government, which it claimed hindered its ability to perform its duties effectively. Additionally, the embassy cited a reduction in personnel and resources due to unforeseen circumstances, making it increasingly challenging to continue operations. The lack of timely and sufficient support, including visa renewals for diplomats, had led to frustration among the embassy’s team.
According to Article 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), all property and facilities of the embassy will be transferred to the custodial authority of the host country.
The embassy sought to address recent speculations, categorically refuting “baseless claims” of internal strife or diplomats seeking asylum in a third country. It emphasized the unity of its team and their commitment to Afghanistan’s best interests.
In its statement, the embassy also mentioned a communication with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding the intent to close the mission, requesting serious consideration of four outlined requests. These requests included the hoisting of the Afghan flag over embassy properties and facilitating the smooth transition of assets to a legitimate government in Kabul in the future.
POWER STRUGGLE
The decision comes after months of power struggles at the Afghan Embassy in Delhi, where Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, appointed by the previous Afghan government, was battling to retain his office amid opposition from the Taliban-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul. While the Taliban has gained control of several foreign missions, Delhi is not among them.
The fate of Afghan diplomats remains uncertain, with Farid Mamundzay currently in London and others having received asylum in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Reports suggest that three Afghan diplomats remained in the New Delhi embassy, with plans for some to leave the capital for France. Additionally, the embassy had recently terminated 11 Indian staff, citing financial constraints.
