New Delhi: The Afghan embassy in New Delhi has decided to cease its operations from 1 October, citing three main reasons — lack of support from the host [Indian] government, failure to meet expectations of serving Afghanistan’s interests, and reduction in personnel and resources.
“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 embassy said in a statement issued Saturday.
The statement emphasised a “notable absence of crucial support from the host government”, which has hindered its ability to carry out its duties “effectively.”
ThePrint was the first to report, on 28 September, the embassy’s impending closure. The mission, it had learnt, sent a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) communicating intentions to permanently cease all operations by 30 September.
The embassy was being run by diplomats appointed by the previous democratic government in Kabul, which was overthrown by the Taliban regime in 2021.
According to a copy of the purported ‘note verbale’ sent to the MEA, accessed by ThePrint and mentioned in its earlier report, the Afghan embassy wrote, “It is with deep regret that the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan must inform the esteemed Ministry of External Affairs that, due to unprecedented circumstances, we are compelled to permanently cease all operations by the end of September 2023.”
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Impact on staff and consulates
The closure of the embassy comes months after a power tussle emerged between the Afghan democratic government and the Taliban regime.
The embassy had also dismissed 11 Indian staff members last week, allegedly due to lack of funds. ThePrint had reported Friday that the Afghan consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad would remain open, despite the closure of the Delhi embassy.
In its statement Saturday, the embassy denied any internal conflict among its diplomats but confirmed the “authenticity” of an earlier communication with the MEA regarding the intent to close the mission.
“This communication accurately represents our decision-making process and the factors leading to the closure,” read the statement.
The embassy, in its statement, also criticised the consulates that may toe the line of the current regime after the closure of the Delhi embassy.
“The embassy also acknowledges that, given the gravity of this decision, there may be some who receive support and instructions from Kabul that may differ from our current course of action,” it said.
“The Embassy of Afghanistan wishes to make an unequivocal statement regarding the activities of certain consulates. 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 statement added.
The mission also emphasised that the actions of such consulates “do not align with the principles and values upheld by the legitimate authorities of Afghanistan”. Such activities, conducted independently, are contrary to the established norms of diplomatic representation, it added.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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