Afghan Embassy Shutdown: The embassy mentioned that this resolution is made after cautious consideration

New Delhi:

The Afghanistan Embassy in India introduced Saturday night time that it’s ceasing its operations from October 1, citing an absence of assist from the host authorities, failure to satisfy expectations in serving Afghanistan’s pursuits, and a discount in personnel and sources.

In a press release, the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi mentioned it regrets to announce the choice to stop its operations, efficient October 1, 2023.

“It is with profound sadness, regret, and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations,” the assertion mentioned.

The embassy mentioned that this resolution, whereas deeply regrettable, is made after cautious consideration, making an allowance for the historic ties and long-standing partnership between Afghanistan and India.

The Embassy assertion additionally listed key components affecting its capacity to proceed the mission successfully and mentioned that they have been the first causes for the “unfortunate closure”.

The Embassy cited a “lack of support from the host government”, alleging that it has skilled a notable absence of essential assist from the host authorities, which it mentioned hindered its capacity to hold out duties successfully.

Failure To Meet Expectations

The mission additionally cited “failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan’s interests” as one of many causes.

“We acknowledge 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 mentioned.

It additionally mentioned that as a consequence of unexpected and unlucky circumstances, there was a big discount in each personnel and sources obtainable to it, making it more and more difficult to proceed operations.

“The lack of timely and sufficient support from visa renewal for diplomats to other critical areas of cooperation led to an understandable frustration among our team and impeded our ability to carry out routine duties effectively,” the assertion mentioned.

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,” it mentioned.

The embassy has been headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay. Mr Mamundzay was appointed by the earlier Ashraf Ghani authorities and he has been working because the Afghan envoy even after the Taliban seized energy in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Power Tussle

In April-May, the embassy was rocked by an influence wrestle within the wake of studies of the Taliban appointing a cost d’affaires to go the mission, changing Mr Mamundzay. Following the episode, the embassy got here out with a press release that there was no change in its management.

The tussle for energy had erupted after Qadir Shah, who was working as a commerce councillor on the embassy since 2020, wrote to the MEA in late April claiming that he was appointed because the cost d’affaires on the embassy by the Taliban.

India is but to recognise the Taliban set-up and has been pitching for the formation of a very inclusive authorities in Kabul, apart from insisting that Afghan soil should not be used for any terrorist actions towards any nation.

In its assertion, the Afghan Embassy mentioned this step is being taken in one of the best curiosity of the folks of Afghanistan.

In accordance with Article 45 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), all property and amenities of the Embassy will probably be transferred to the custodial authority of the host nation, it mentioned.

The embassy mentioned it additionally needs to handle latest speculations and supply readability on sure issues of significance.

In the three-page assertion, the embassy categorically refuted any “baseless claims” concerning inside strife or discord amongst its diplomatic employees or any diplomats utilizing the disaster to hunt asylum in a 3rd nation.

“Such rumours are unfounded and do not reflect the reality of our mission. We remain a united team working towards the best interests of Afghanistan,” the embassy mentioned.

The embassy additionally mentioned it wish to confirm the “authenticity” of an earlier communication with the Ministry of External Affairs concerning the intent to shut the mission.

“This communication accurately represents our decision-making process and the factors leading to the closure,” the assertion mentioned.

“We request the government of India to give serious consideration to the four requests outlined in the official note verbally submitted earlier. Specifically, we emphasize the importance of permitting the hoisting of the Afghan flag over the properties of our premises, as well as facilitating the smooth transition of the mission’s buildings and assets to a legitimate government in Kabul in the future,” the assertion mentioned.

The embassy additionally acknowledged that, given the gravity of this resolution, “there may be some who receive support and instructions from Kabul that may differ from our current course of action”.

The Embassy of Afghanistan made an “unequivocal statement” concerning the actions of sure 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 assertion mentioned.

The embassy additionally mentioned it’s eager to succeed in an settlement with the Indian authorities on the earliest doable juncture.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)