TBM Staff - Mumbai The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has finally shut down in New Delhi. The mission ran on skeletal staff, and without the presence of the envoy appointed during the Presidency of Dr. Ashraf Ghani, blamed a number of factors including lack of support from the “host government” for ending operations.
“The Embassy has experienced a notable absence of crucial support from the host government, which has hindered our ability to carry out our duties effectively,” a press statement from the mission stated. It cited “reduction in both personnel and resources” because of the arrival of the Taliban administration in Kabul and acknowledged that it has failed to meet “expectations in serving Afghanistan’s interests”.
“Given these circumstances, it is with deep regret that we have taken the difficult decision to close all operations of the mission with the exception of emergency consular services to Afghan citizens till the transfer of the custodial authority of the mission to the host country,” the press note declared.
Unlike the Embassy in Delhi, the Afghan consulates in Hyderabad and Mumbai have not shut down and Consul General of Afghanistan in Mumbai Zakia Wardak had earlier announced on social media that they remain committed to serving the Afghan citizens who may require consular services in India.
“It is our firm belief that any actions taken by these consulates are not in consonance with the objectives of a legitimate or elected government and rather serve the interests of an illegitimate regime,” the Embassy said hinting at the Taliban adding, “Such activities, conducted independently, are contrary to the established norms of diplomatic representation.”
