"Diplomatic Standoff: Afghanistan Embassy in India announces permanent closure."
India and Afghanistan have nurtured enduring cultural, historical, and traditional bonds over centuries. India's commitment to Afghanistan extends beyond sentiment, encompassing active participation in diverse developmental endeavors, spanning infrastructure, education, aid, and capacity-building initiatives. However, the landscape shifted significantly with the Taliban's takeover of Kabul, altering the regional dynamics of South Asia.
In May 2023, The Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi emerged as the center of a power struggle between the previous Afghan democratic government and the Taliban regime, as Taliban has announced Qadir shah as their new ambassador to Afghanistan embassy in India. However, the Afghanistan embassy had unequivocally rejected the Taliban's decision, sparking a contentious standoff between the two factions.
Suhail Shaheen, the leader of the Taliban's Political Office in Doha, had described the nomination of Qadir Shah as the new chargé d'affaires (CDA) as a "logical decision." Shah had previously worked at the Afghan mission as a non-diplomatic "Local Staff" without recognition from the Afghan government in 2021. However, the Taliban put forward Shah as the head of the mission on April 25th, 2023.
The Afghanistan Embassy had made the decision to dismiss Qadir Shah from his position and had barred him from entering the embassy premises. According to a statement released by the Embassy, they strongly denied the claims made by an individual who asserted that they had assumed control of the mission in New Delhi on behalf of the Taliban.
Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India also said, “I represent a republic or a government which no longer exists, but I was appointed by a legitimately elected government. I do have that legitimacy serving in this mission”.
The Indian government had refrained from commenting on the Taliban's decision, with officials indicating that it was an "internal" matter to be resolved within the embassy itself.
AFGHANISTAN EMBASSY ANNOUNCED PERMANENT CLOSURE:
In the most recent development, Afghanistan embassy in India announced permanent closure of its diplomatic mission in India. This development follows the announcement made on September 30, 2023, when the Afghanistan embassy had previously declared its decision to cease operations starting from October 1, 2023.
As per an official statement on the closure of its diplomatic mission in New Delhi, the Afghan embassy said, "Effective from November 23, 2023 owing to persistent challenges from the Indian government. The decision follows the embassy's earlier cessation of operations on September 30, a move made in the hope that the Indian government stance will favorably change to let the mission operate normally."
"To the Afghan citizens in India, the Embassy extends its sincere gratitude for their understanding and support throughout our mission's tenure," it added.
Presently, the Afghan Republic has no official representation in India, as communicated by the embassy. Diplomats previously stationed in the national capital have effectively relocated to other countries. The embassy provided additional clarification, stating that the only individuals currently in India are diplomats affiliated with the Taliban, engaging in their regular virtual meetings.
India's Stand
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India remained silent on the issue of appointment of ambassador by the Taliban.
The MEA, however, rejected all the allegations that India did not provide support to the embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi after the Afghanistan embassy had announced to cease operation on 30 September 2023.
While India, like other countries, does not officially recognize the Taliban regime, there was a significant change in policy last year when the government decided to establish a "technical mission" in Kabul. Currently, the Indian government does not have an official diplomatic presence in Kabul but in July 2022, India reopened its embassy in Kabul as a “technical mission”.
As events continue to unfold, the diplomatic positions adopted by different nations will play a crucial role in determining the trajectory of Afghanistan's future and its interactions with the global community. The recent recalibration of diplomatic ties between India and Afghanistan signifies the onset of a new chapter, characterized by a blend of challenges and opportunities, in the enduring historical relations between the two nations.
Title:"Diplomatic Standoff: Afghanistan Embassy in India announces permanent closure."
Written By: Fact Crescendo TeamResult: Insight
