The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi was headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay.
New Delhi:
The Afghan Embassy in India has announced that it will suspend operations from today, citing “lack of support” from the Indian government, its inability to meet expectations of safeguarding Afghanistan’s interests and a shortage of staff and resources.
The Afghan Embassy said it made this difficult decision after careful consideration given the long-standing relations and friendship between Afghanistan and India.
“It is with deep sadness, regret and disappointment that the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi announces this decision to suspend its operations,” the embassy said in a statement.
The Afghan embassy in New Delhi was headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, who was appointed by the Ashraf Ghani government and continued in his role despite the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.
“We recognize our shortcomings”
The embassy listed some “factors” that prevented it from carrying out its mission effectively, citing them as the main reasons for the unfortunate closure. She accused the Indian government of failing to provide essential support, which prevented the embassy from carrying out its duties effectively.
“We recognize our shortcomings in meeting the expectations and requirements necessary to serve the best interests of Afghanistan and its citizens due to the lack of diplomatic support in India and the absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul,” it said the explanation of the message.
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The embassy stated that unforeseen circumstances had significantly reduced the embassy’s staff and resources, making it increasingly difficult to continue operations.
“The lack of timely and sufficient support in diplomatic visa extensions and other key areas of cooperation led to understandable frustration among our team and impacted our ability to carry out routine tasks effectively,” the statement said.
The embassy was also aware that due to the gravity of this decision, some individuals may receive support and instructions from the Taliban regime in Kabul that may deviate from the embassy’s current approach.
“The Embassy also recognizes that given the gravity of this decision, there may be some who receive support and instructions from Kabul that may deviate from our current approach. The Afghan Embassy wants to make a clear statement about the activities of certain individuals. “We firmly believe that the actions of these consulates are not in line with the goals of a legitimate or elected government and rather serve the interests of an illegitimate regime,” it said the declaration.
India-Afghanistan relations
India has not yet recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. It calls for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan and the prevention of the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against any country.
The Afghan embassy in Delhi experienced a power struggle in April and May 2023 after the Taliban reportedly appointed a new head of mission to replace acting ambassador Farid Mamundzay. Qadir Shah, a commercial counselor at the Afghan embassy in Delhi since 2020, wrote to the Foreign Ministry in late April claiming that the Taliban had appointed him chargé d’affaires.
However, the embassy issued a statement claiming that its leadership had not changed.