New Delhi: The Afghan Embassy in Delhi is closing down due to the lack of finances, and infighting amongst diplomats with some seeking asylum in other countries.
“Indian government is aware of the developments and have received a note verbal on the same – which they are said to be examining. The authenticity of the communication and its contents are being examined. This is in the context of the Ambassador being out of India for past many months, steady departure of diplomats to third countries reportedly after receiving asylum as well as reports of infighting amongst Embassy personnel,” The New Indian Express reported quoting a source.
The Afghans are also sore with India for not issuing visas for their students (nearly 2500) who wanted to continue their studies in India.
“We had written to the Indian government many times to enable Afghan students to continue their education in India, all in vain,” said Onib Dadgar, who represents the student body of Afghans, TNIE reported.
According to the news agency PTI, the Afghan Embassy has purportedly communicated to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on its decision to close down operations in the next couple of days.
The authenticity of the Afghan Embassy’s purported communications on shutting down operations in India is being examined, India Today reported quoting sources. The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi has purportedly issued a message on the issue, the contents of which are being examined by New Delhi.
The development comes amid Ambassador Farid Mamundzay being out of India for many months. It is learnt that he is currently in London. He was appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani government, the report added.
Mamundzay’s role as the Afghan envoy continued, despite the Taliban taking over Afghanistan in August 2021.
Notably, though the Indian government hasn’t officially recognised the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan the embassy in Kabul is functional – which is referred to as a technical establishment that with the help of locals distributes humanitarian aid. Consular services are discontinued.
