NEW DELHI: The Embassy of Afghanistan in India suspended operations on Sunday, over two years after the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul after the collapse of the Western-backed government in Afghanistan. Most foreign nations, India included, do not officially recognize the Taliban government but acknowledge them as the ruling authority, leading to a state of uncertainty for Afghan embassies and consulates worldwide.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the Afghan embassy expressed “profound sadness, regret, and disappointment” regarding the decision to cease operations. The embassy cited cuts in staff and resources, along with a lack of timely and sufficient support for visa renewals, as reasons for the closure. The statement also clarified that the closure was not a result of internal strife among staff and denied any claims of diplomats seeking asylum in a third country.
India, in response to the embassy’s closure, announced that it would take control of the Afghan embassy in a caretaker capacity. The closure comes after reports of the ambassador and other senior diplomats leaving India in recent months, leaving behind a situation of uncertainty and infighting among those remaining in New Delhi.
Diplomatic Challenges for Afghanistan
The power shift in Kabul in 2021 left tens of thousands of Afghan nationals stranded across the world, including students, businesspeople, and medical tourists. Many chose not to return to Afghanistan. Some embassies, like those of Pakistan, China, and Russia, continued to operate throughout the period, while others found themselves embroiled in disputes over control.
This closure underscores the complex diplomatic challenges faced by Afghanistan and its representatives on the international stage. With most nations refraining from full recognition of the Taliban government, Afghan embassies find themselves in a state of limbo, navigating uncertain waters in their efforts to carry out routine consular work and represent their country effectively.
As of now, most senior Afghan foreign ministry officials are attending a conference in the Russian city of Kazan, leaving no immediate comments available regarding the closure of the embassy in New Delhi. India has not issued an immediate response to the announcement.
