Explained: Why Afghanistan Embassy Has Closed Its Operations In India

Earlier this year, the Afghanistan embassy was rocked by a power struggle after the Taliban appointed a charge d'affaires to head the mission.

The Afghanistan embassy in India today suspended operations citing an inability to serve the country's interests and a shortage of staff and resources. India will take control of the embassy in a caretaker capacity, the statement by the embassy said. The announcement comes two years after the elected government in Afghanistan was overthrown by the Taliban.

While India does not recognise the Taliban government, it had allowed the Afghan embassy to continue operations under the ambassador and mission staff appointed by former president Ashraf Ghani, who fled Kabul in 2021.

Earlier this year, the embassy was rocked by a power struggle in the wake of reports of the Taliban appointing a charge d'affaires to head the mission, replacing Mamundzay. Following the episode, the embassy came out with a statement that there was no change in its leadership.