Afghanistan embassy on Friday announced the permanent closure of the embassy in New Delhi and asked the Indian government to give permission to the flag of the erstwhile Afghan republic to be hosted in its premises. Prior to this decision, the Afghanistan embassy almost two months ago announced that it will be shutting down the embassy’s operation in India.
In the statement issued by the Afghanistan ambassador to India, it states that it was a matter of regret that Afghanistan republic has to announce the closing of its embassy in New Delhi that will come into force from 23 November 2023. This decision was taken due to the continuous challenges being posed by the Indian government in its functioning.
Image Source- India Today
Cessation of Afghanistan embassy’s operation earlier
The statement further announced that the embassy’s earlier announced cessation of its operation in India in September month in the hope that Indian government will mold their code of conduct in the manner that does not place a hurdle in the functioning of Afghanistan embassy, yet no such decision had been taken by the Indian government. The Afghanistan embassy wanted the extension in the visa permission for its diplomats in India and Indian government laws to be framed in such a way that it facilitates the embassy’s functioning.
He further added in his official statement that the embassy was under constant pressure from Talibanian too due to which the Afghanistan embassy had to face a difficult situation. Moreover, the statement mentioned that India had been a very important geopolitical partner for erstwhile Afghanistan but it recognises the fact that in the real world, countries have to deal with major concerns that govern the relations in the international arena.
Image Source- The Times Of India
The Afghanistan ambassador further substantiated its points and said that due to this situation of realpolitik in present times, the closing of Afghanistan embassy in India stands in the best interest for the country. The officer further informed that no officials or diplomates from Afghanistan are present in India, and those who were there in the national capital region of India have been safely flown to other countries. He states that those officials who are present here recognise themselves with Taliban identity.
The statement mentioned that the last decision rests with the Indian government on whether it will find some alternative to the closing of Afghanistan’s embassy or if it wants to hand over the operation to the Taliban’s diplomats. The responsibility of the Afghan republics comes to an end in India with this unfortunate decision of closing its embassy in New Delhi.
The Afghan republic, owing to the challenging times in their nation, requested the Indian government for certain actions to be taken. First was that the Indian government should take in its custody the Afghanistan’s diplomats bank account, their properties and the amount present in the embassy’s bank account. Secondly, it requested the Indian government to keep Afghanistan’s flag hoisted in the embassy’s premises. It has also asked the Indian government to ensure that the embassy’s property remains safe.
Image Source- Swarajyamag.com
Addresses Afghanistan citizens in India
While addressing the Afghanistan citizens living in India, the government expressed its gratitude towards them and said that even in difficult times in Afghanistan without any legitimate government, they still have tried to serve for the welfare or betterment of its citizens.
The government had announced the shutting down of the embassy’s functions on 1 October citing lack of resources and support from the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. It further said that some of the diplomats working in the Afghanistan embassy serve the interests of the illegitimate Taliban regime instead of following orders of the legitimate Afghan republic government.
