India, Afghanistan Shut Down Embassy In Each Other Countries

The Afghanistan embassy in India (New Delhi) has announced that it will be permanently closing. This decision became effective on November 23, 2023. 

Earlier, the embassy had stopped its operations on September 30. The Afghani authorities have stated that they were hoping that the Indian government might change its stance and allow the embassy to function normally. But this didn’t happen, they had to take the decision of permanent closure.

It was the reason according to them. But I’ll tell you the exact reason for this in the last section of this article. So read on till the end!

What Will Happen To The Embassy Building?

Now, the future of the embassy building is in the hands of the Indian government. The diplomats from the Afghan Republic, who were working in New Delhi, have already moved to other countries. 

The Indian government will decide whether to keep the building closed or to allow Taliban-appointed diplomats to use it. Or, it may also happen that this building will be utilized for the embassy of a different country.

Why is Afghanistan Closing its Embassy in India?

According to the Afghanistan embassy, they are closing due to persistent challenges from the Indian government. They also mentioned struggles with a lack of resources and power. 

The embassy expressed that it has always worked for the betterment of the Afghan people, despite these limitations. They also said that there have been efforts to tarnish their image and hinder their diplomatic work, which they believe is to justify the presence of Taliban diplomats.

Afghanistan Embassy Is Grateful To India

The embassy expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Bharat for their support and assistance over the past 22 years. They acknowledged the historic ties and bilateral relations between Afghanistan and India. 

The embassy reiterated its commitment to serving the people of Afghanistan and promised to continue exploring ways to support their nation in these challenging times.

Also Read: Why Did South Korea Suspend The Inter-Korean Agreement?

Has India Also Closed its Embassy in Afghanistan?

Yes, India had closed its embassy in Afghanistan. This happened back in August 2021, following the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban. India had evacuated its diplomatic staff and citizens for their safety. 

Since then, India has not reopened its embassy in Afghanistan, mainly due to security concerns and the unstable political situation of the Taliban government. 

Indian authorities in Afghanistan were not getting proper support from the Taliban government. Thus India had to take this decision. After 2 years, the Taliban decided the same in New Delhi.