Taliban's Deputy Political Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, announced the reopening and operational status of Afghan consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad, according to The Khaama Press.

It reported quoting the Minister, “Our consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad are operational. I have spoken to them, and they have reopened the embassy.” During an interview with a television channel linked to the Taliban administration, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Deputy Political Minister of Foreign Affairs, refuted claims of the cessation of Afghanistan’s embassy activities in India, as reported by the Afghanistan-based news agency.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Deputy Political Minister of Foreign Affairs in Afghanistan, refuted the claim made by a former diplomat named Naemi, stating that the Afghan embassy and consulates in India are actively in contact with the ministry.

He dismissed Naemi's assertion that the embassy is closed and services are not provided, calling it false, as reported by The Khaama Press. On November 25, the Afghan Embassy announced that, as of November 23, there is no diplomat representing Afghanistan in India.

“Neighbourhood first policy: We, the former Afghan diplomats want to set the record straight: As of Nov 23, there is no Afghan diplomat representing the former Republic in India. Those with ties to the Taliban are aligning themselves with Taliban and also Delhi’s interests,” as per the Afghan Embassy in India’s official handle on ‘X’.

The Ministry of External Affairs has refrained from commenting on the closure of the Afghanistan Embassy in India. India, not recognizing the Taliban government that took control in August 2021, evacuated its staff from Kabul two years ago, and it no longer maintains a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan.

India has stated its intention to follow the lead of the United Nations in determining whether to recognize the Taliban government. The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, previously operated by staff appointed by ousted President Ashraf Ghani's government with Indian authorities' permission, has recently announced its permanent closure.

Releasing an official statement on the closure of its diplomatic mission in New Delhi, the Afghan Embassy said, “Effective from November 23, 2023, owing to persistent challenges from the Indian government. The decision follows the Embassy’s earlier cessation of operations on September 30, a move made in the hope that the Indian government stance will favourably change to let the mission operate normally.”

The Embassy acknowledged awareness that certain individuals might attempt to frame this action as an internal conflict, potentially involving diplomats who shifted allegiance to the Taliban. “That this decision is a result of broader changes in policy and interests”.

Image source: ANI