Vishwakhabram: What has changed in India’s attitude towards Taliban? Why was the Afghan Embassy closed in Delhi?

The Embassy of Afghanistan in India has announced to close its operations “permanently”, claiming continuous challenges from the Indian government. Let us remind you that the Embassy of Afghanistan had announced on September 30 that it would be closed from October 1. At that time the mission had said that this step was taken due to lack of support from the Indian government, failure to meet expectations in serving the interests of Afghanistan and lack of personnel and resources. Now the embassy said in a statement issued on Friday that it regretfully announces the permanent closure of its diplomatic mission in New Delhi with effect from November 23 “due to the continuing challenges from the Government of India”. .

The statement said, “This decision has been taken after the embassy ceases operations on September 30, 2023.” The statement said that the step was taken in the hope that the work of the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi can resume as normal. There will be a favorable change in the attitude of the Government of India to continue formally. The Afghan Embassy said that despite a wait of eight weeks, the objectives of extension of visa period for diplomats and change in the behavior of the Indian government unfortunately could not be achieved. “Given the continued pressure from both the Taliban and the Government of India to relinquish control, the Embassy has had to make a difficult choice,” the statement said. The mission said the Afghan Republic currently has no diplomats in India. He said that the personnel serving at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan have reached other countries safely. The statement said India now has only Taliban-linked diplomats, who appear to be attending their regular online meetings. The Mission said that the diplomats of the Afghan Republic have completely handed over the Mission to the Government of India.

The mission said, “It is now in the hands of the Indian government to decide the fate of the mission whether to keep it closed or to consider other options including the possibility of handing it over to Taliban ‘diplomats’.” The Afghan mission said that Afghanistan is an Islamic country. The responsibility of diplomats appointed by the Republic has officially ended. The statement said that the unfortunate end of the Afghanistan mission marks the conclusion of the Afghan Republic’s presence in India. “We have reached this decision after careful consideration of historical events and current circumstances,” the statement said. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the people of India for their support and assistance to Afghanistan over the last 22 years.

The Afghan Embassy said India has been a steadfast strategic partner of the erstwhile Afghan Republic since 2001 and “we understand the limitations and concerns that arise in the realm of real politics and the balancing act in difficult times in a geopolitically sensitive region.” The mission said, “We therefore strongly believe that the decision to close the Mission in India at this stage and hand over the protection authority of the Mission to the host country is in the best interests of Afghanistan.” Embassy It referred to “challenging times for Afghanistan” where “millions of people are struggling with poverty and socio-economic and political exclusion”. It urged that the Ministry of External Affairs immediately fulfill its obligations and responsibilities under the provisions of the Vienna Convention of 1961 (Article 45) related to assuming the custody of the properties, bank accounts, vehicles and all other property of the Afghan diplomatic mission in New Delhi. .

“A detailed list of assets running into 110 pages has already been shared with the Ministry of External Affairs, which also includes details of approximately $5,00,000 in the mission’s bank accounts,” the statement said. Also requested to allow the hoisting of the Afghan flag on Mission properties during this period in accordance with the wishes of the Afghan people. “It is an important symbol of honor, pride, sacrifice and self-determination for millions of Afghan citizens around the world,” the statement said. “Finally, we would like to convey to the Ministry of External Affairs the embassy with this understanding,” the mission said. Urges to ensure the security of assets and capital and ensure that they are handed over to a legitimate and accountable Government duly elected/elected by the Afghan people in the future.”

The embassy also said that some may try to portray the move as an internal conflict involving the alleged involvement of diplomats who switched allegiance and became Taliban loyalists, but it stressed that the decision was based on interests and policy. The result of extensive changes in. “We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Afghan nationals in India for the support they have extended to our Mission during its tenure,” the mission said. We have worked tirelessly for their betterment despite limited resources and forces, and the absence of a legitimate government in Kabul.” The statement said that unfortunately, there is little to justify the presence and work of diplomats appointed and affiliated with the Taliban. Efforts have been made to malign our image and hinder diplomatic efforts.

Let us tell you that the Afghan Embassy in India was headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzai. Mamundzai was appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani government in Afghanistan and was still serving as the Afghan ambassador after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. The Taliban were reported to have appointed a temporary ambassador to lead the mission in April–May in place of Mamundzai. After this the embassy issued a statement saying that there has been no change in its leadership. Let us also tell you that India has not yet recognized the Taliban administration and is advocating the formation of a real inclusive government in Kabul. India has been insisting that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorist activities against any country.

Let us also remind you that the Taliban is not only engaged in the power struggle in Afghanistan, but this fight to capture every establishment related to power has now reached the embassies located abroad as well. Let us tell you that some time ago an official from the Taliban had claimed that a new ambassador has been appointed to Delhi, but the Afghan ambassador appointed by the former government of Afghanistan had called this claim fake. There were reports that the Taliban regime is appointing ambassadors to increase its contacts abroad, but the problem it faces is that many countries including India have not recognized the Taliban regime. In such a situation, the biggest question is that how will the ambassadors appointed by the Taliban handle their work abroad?

Let us remind you that in June last year, India had re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul by deploying a “technical team” at its embassy in the Afghan capital. India had recalled its officials from the embassy following concerns over security in the wake of the Taliban taking power. There were also reports that the Taliban informed New Delhi on several occasions that diplomats from the Afghan embassy in India no longer represented Kabul. Talking about India’s stand on Taliban rule, let us tell you that India has not yet recognized the Taliban government and is insisting for the formation of an inclusive government in Kabul. India has also said that Afghanistan’s land should not be used for terrorist activities against any country. However, India has always given priority to its historical and cultural ties with Afghanistan and has been helping the Afghan people to its best. Besides, India has also been participating in the talks at the United Nations and other global forums on the issue of Afghanistan.