India ‘examining’ claims of Afghan Embassy closure

ANKARA (AA) – Indian officials are “examining the authenticity” of a communication issued by the Afghan Embassy which said the mission is closing operations in New Delhi.

Indian government sources said to the media that the “authenticity” of the communication purportedly issued by the embassy and its contents are being “examined.”

“This is in the context of the Ambassador being out of India for past many months, steady departure of diplomats to third countries reportedly after receiving asylum as well as reports of infighting amongst Embassy personnel,” a senior official said on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Kabul-based Tolo News posted a “Note Verbale” on X that showed the Embassy has informed the Indian Foreign Ministry that “due to unprecedented circumstances, we are compelled to permanently cease all operations by the end of September 2023.”

“This decision stems from our inability to maintain normal functioning due to the absence of diplomatic consideration and systematic support,” according to the note. “The following diplomatic notes over the last six months to the Ministry of External Affairs-NV Number: 385, 386, 400, 402, 403, 404, 742, 770, 776 and 1605 are some instances where no support was extended to any legitimate requests from the embassy.”

Tolo News confirmed the accuracy of the letter, citing embassy sources.

“According to the source, only one diplomat remains in the embassy and all other diplomats have left,” it said.

The note said the mission’s “significance has been systemically diminished since the reopening of the Indian embassy in Kabul in June 2022.”

It also sought the Indian Foreign Ministry’s assistance in assuming the custodial authority over “financial accounts” and requested to issue exit permits to all diplomats so that they leave India together with their families.

The request by the embassy has come two years after the Taliban returned to power in Kabul.