India: Afghan embassy, consulates remain operational

KABUL (Pajhwok): India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed the Afghan embassy in New Delhi remains operational.

The Afghan embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad remained active, said the MEA spokesperson.

Arindam Bagchi told a weekly media briefing the embassy represented Afghanistan, emphasising that India's stance on the entities' status remained unchanged, The Outlook reported.

Bagchi assured that Afghan diplomats would continue providing services to Afghan nationals in India.

India has yet to recognise the IEA setup, advocating for the establishment of an inclusive government in Kabul and urging that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorist activities against any country.

The embassy, led by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, had previously announced its permanent closure, attributing it to "persistent challenges from the Indian government."

However, recent developments suggest that the closure may be linked to internal power struggles, with approximately 20 diplomats reportedly leaving India and seeking asylum in the West.

Mamundzay has been in London since June, and the oversight of embassy operations has shifted to Consul General in Mumbai Zakia Wardrak.

sa/mud