Afghanistan Embassy in India to shut down operations from Oct 1

NEW DELHI: The Embassy of Afghanistan in India, situated in New Delhi, announced on September 30, revealing its decision to halt operations starting October 1, 2023.

According to media reports, the embassy attributed this move to a combination of factors, including a lack of support from the host government and an inability to effectively advance Afghanistan’s interests.

Earlier on Friday, there was speculation that the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi was considering the cessation of its operations. Nevertheless, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) refrained from offering any comments on the matter.

Press Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 30th September, 2023
 
Afghanistan is closing its Embassy in New Delhi.
 
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New Delhi regrets to announce the decision to cease its operations, effective October 1, 2023. pic.twitter.com/BXesWPdLFP

— Afghanistan Embassy in India (@AfghanistanInIN) September 30, 2023

The reports indicated that a reduction in personnel and resources further compounded the challenges, severely limiting the embassy’s operational capacity.

Read More: Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi to close due to lack of MEA support

In a statement, the embassy expressed profound sadness and disappointment regarding this development. It stressed that, despite the deep-rooted historical ties and longstanding partnership between Afghanistan and India, this decision had been taken after thorough deliberation.

Factors influencing closure

The official statement released by the Afghan embassy outlined key factors that played a pivotal role in its inability to sustain operations. These factors were cited as the primary drivers behind the closure.

Besides the lack of support from the Indian government, the embassy also acknowledged its own shortcomings in serving Afghanistan’s interests but underscored that external circumstances had significantly contributed to the untenable nature of their mission.

Historic partnership strained

The closure of the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi underscores a significant challenge in the Indo-Afghan relationship. It is a blow to the traditionally close ties between the two nations, which have shared cultural heritage and common strategic interests for decades. Both countries have historically cooperated in various sectors, including trade, education, defense, and diplomacy.

Uncertain future

The abrupt cessation of operations raises uncertainties about the future diplomatic relations between India and Afghanistan in the context of current geopolitical conditions. The impact of the situation on ongoing projects or bilateral agreements remains uncertain, casting a shadow over future collaborations until these issues are satisfactorily resolved.