NEW DELHI: The Taliban regime of Afghanistan has closed down its embassy in India’s New Delhi, according to an announcement on X, formerly Twitter.
“It is with profound sadness, regret, and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations,” the statement on micro blogging site said.
It added that the Afghanistan Embassy regrets announcing the decision to cease its operations, effective October 1, 2023.
The statement attributed “lack of support from the host government” as a reason to its ability to continue the mission effectively.
The embassy also cited “failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan’s interests” as one of the reasons.
The move is also expected to be replicated in a few other countries since the governments are not comfortable in dealing with Taliban regime in Kabul, and the country’s weakening monetary situation, according th the experts.
“We acknowledge our shortcomings in meeting the expectations and requirements necessary to serve the best interests of Afghanistan and its citizens due to the lack of diplomatic support in India and the absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul,” it said.
The Afghanistan Ambassador to India Farid Mamundzay is soon departing the country.
“The lack of timely and sufficient support from visa renewal for diplomats to other critical areas of cooperation led to an understandable frustration among our team and impeded our ability to carry out routine duties effectively,” the statement said.
Given these circumstances, “it is with deep regret that we have taken the difficult decision to close all operations of the mission with the exception of emergency consular services to Afghan citizens till the transfer of the custodial authority of the mission to the host country,” it added.