External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. File.
| Photo Credit: ANI

In the previous two years, some Afghan diplomats have left India as they obtained residency in third nations however the remaining diplomats have taken over the duty for continued functioning of the diplomatic missions of that nation, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar mentioned on December 15.

In a written reply to a query in Lok Sabha, he mentioned India’s method to Afghanistan continues to be guided by its historic relations, friendship with its folks and related UN resolutions.

“The diplomatic presence of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New Delhi and the Consulates of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Mumbai and Hyderabad continue to function in India,” he mentioned in his reply.

“During the past two years, some Afghan diplomats have left India since they obtained residency in third countries. However, the remaining Afghan diplomats based in India have taken over the responsibility for the continued diplomatic functioning of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” he mentioned.

India has not but recognised the Taliban arrange and has been pitching for the formation of a very inclusive authorities in Kabul moreover insisting that Afghan soil should not be used for any terrorist actions towards any nation.

The Afghan embassy in New Delhi, beneath the management of Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, final month introduced its everlasting closure, citing “persistent challenges from the Indian government”.

It is learnt that Mamundzay’s announcement of the closure of the embassy was extra to do with inner energy battle and departure of round 20 diplomats from India in search of asylum within the West.

Mamundzay has been in London since June.

It can be learnt that Afghan Consul General in Mumbai, Zakia Wardrak is now overseeing the operations on the embassy.

Mr. Jaishankar mentioned India’s method to Afghanistan continues to be guided by its historic relations, friendship with its folks and related UN resolutions, together with UN Security Council Resolution 2593.

The UNSC decision 2593, adopted on August 30, 2021 talked in regards to the want for upholding human rights in Afghanistan, demanded that Afghan territory shouldn’t be used for terrorism and {that a} negotiated political settlement must be discovered to the disaster.

“The India based personnel of the embassy in Kabul returned to India in the aftermath of the takeover by the Taliban. Since June 2022, an Indian technical team is positioned in the Embassy and is active in respect of humanitarian assistance and other situations,” Mr. Jaishankar mentioned.

“India’s stance in regard to recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is in consonance with that of the international community,” he mentioned.

The External Affairs Minister additionally talked about India’s humanitarian support to Afghanistan.

“Keeping in mind the deteriorating situation in that country, India decided to assist Afghan people by supplying humanitarian aid,” he mentioned.

“In this endeavour, we have supplied several shipments of humanitarian assistance consisting of 50,000 MTs of wheat, 250 tons of medical aid and 28 tons of earthquake relief aid,” he mentioned.

Jaishankar mentioned these consignments have been handed over to the United Nations World Food Programme, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health and Afghan Red Crescent Society.

“India has historical and civilizational ties with Afghanistan and our development partnership has included more than five hundred projects spread across each of the 34 provinces of the country in critical areas of power, water supply, road connectivity, healthcare, education, agriculture and capacity building,” he mentioned.

“Our technical team in Kabul is monitoring the status of our projects and their functioning, in addition to supporting humanitarian assistance,” he added.