Afghan embassy in India suspends operations amidst ongoing diplomatic uncertainty

Afghanistan’s embassy in India has officially suspended its operations as of Sunday, marking a poignant moment in the diplomatic limbo that has ensued since the Taliban’s resurgence in Kabul over two years ago.

This decision underscores the complexities faced by Afghan embassies worldwide, as the international community grapples with recognizing the Taliban as the de facto ruling authority in Afghanistan.

A statement released by the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi through the social media platform X conveyed, “It is with profound sadness, regret, and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations.” India, in response, will assume caretaker responsibilities for the embassy.

The embassy cited numerous challenges that led to this decision, including staffing reductions, resource constraints, and difficulties in securing timely visa renewals for diplomats. However, it vehemently denied any internal strife among its staff or allegations of diplomats seeking asylum in third countries.

Reports had previously emerged that the ambassador and senior diplomats had left India in recent months, while infighting persisted among those remaining in New Delhi. Nevertheless, the embassy refuted these claims in its statement.

This move echoes the broader context of foreign nations, including India, hesitating to officially recognize the Taliban government while acknowledging its de facto authority. As a result, many Afghan embassies and consulates find themselves in a state of uncertainty, with diplomats appointed by the former government reluctant to hand over embassy assets to representatives chosen by the Taliban.

The change of power in Kabul in August 2021 left tens of thousands of Afghan students, businesspeople, and medical tourists stranded across the globe. Most chose not to return to Afghanistan due to fears of persecution, although some have since done so, with the Taliban keen to showcase these returns as a sign of confidence in their leadership.

While the Taliban authorities control around a dozen Afghan embassies abroad, others operate on a hybrid system, with ambassadors absent but embassy staff continuing to provide essential consular services. Some embassies, like those of Pakistan, China, and Russia, have remained open throughout the turbulent period.

As the closure of the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi marks another twist in Afghanistan’s diplomatic saga, the international community continues to grapple with the challenge of how to engage with the Taliban-led government in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.