NEW DELHI, Nov 24 (Reuters): Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi has closed as diplomats appointed by the Afghan government ousted by the Taliban two years ago failed to secure visa extensions from their Indian hosts, the outgoing ambassador said in a statement on Friday.
India does not recognise the Taliban government which seized power in 2021, and had allowed Ambassador Farid Mamundzay and mission staff to stay in place, issuing visas and handling trade matters.
In September, however, the ambassador and senior staff left for Europe and the US to seek asylum, and the embassy said it was suspending operations.
An embassy statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday said that period in limbo was over, and the embassy was shutting and the keys had been given to the host government. It also said that pressure from both the Indian government and the Taliban had forced the decision.
"Unfortunately, despite an eight-week wait, the objectives of visa extension for diplomats and a shift in the Indian government's conduct were not realised," ambassador Mamundzay said in the statement.
Afghan embassy in India shuts down citing lack of support
FE Team | Published: November 24, 2023 22:29:30
Afghan embassy in India shuts down citing lack of support
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