The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of
india reaffirmed on
thursday that Afghanistan's embassy in New
delhi was still open, days after
media rumors of its closure surfaced. Even after the Taliban took control of Kabul, Afghanistan's embassy in
delhi and consulates in
hyderabad and
mumbai remained open. Despite the fact that several Afghan diplomats, including Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, have departed
india, a small number of diplomats and
government representatives have been in charge of the consular services.
After giving a verbal notice, Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, who has been in
london for the previous four months, sparked rumors of the embassy's closure. He had previously stated that he intended to halt operations in
india by the end of September. The consul generals in
hyderabad and
mumbai, however, released a statement refuting the allegations of the embassy's closure.
Since the Taliban took control, hundreds of Afghan
students and traders have relocated to India. As part of our commitment to the thousands of Afghan
students, refugees, and traders in
india, we will continue to offer consular
services in
hyderabad,
mumbai, and at the embassy in New
delhi, a senior Afghan official told
india Herald.
"We are figuring out a plan to manage things at our embassy in
delhi while the ambassador is away. Most likely, the general consuls of
afghanistan in
mumbai and
hyderabad would oversee embassy
business on a rotating basis," he added. According to a statement released on
september 30 by the diplomats at the embassy who were nominated by the previous Afghan
government, the mission would stop operating on
october 1 due to a "lack of support from the host government." The Afghan consulates in
mumbai and
hyderabad, meanwhile, said that they will carry on with
business as usual.
Consulates in mumbai and hyderabad voiced objectionAccording to Arindam Bagchi, "Afghan consulates general in
hyderabad and
mumbai voiced their objection to that decision or to such a decision." Bagchi added that they maintain contact with the Afghan diplomats posted at the embassy in
delhi as well as the consulates in
mumbai and Hyderabad.
"We are also aware that the Ambassador has been absent for an extended period of time, and that many Afghan diplomats have recently left
india," added Bagchi. Bagchi stated, "On our part, we will continue with our efforts to assist the
people of Afghanistan." He expressed hope that a sizable number of Afghan nationals in
india, especially
students, will be able to continue receiving required consular support.