NEW DELHI, Nov 12 : With no staff left to man the Afghan Embassy in India or the consulates, except for the services of a lone former diplomat, India has roped in the services of a young Afghan student to function as a “diplomat” in the Afghan Consulate in Mumbai, to help in providing services to the large number of Afghan nationals living in India, sources said.
However, the sources were quick to point out that it is not tantamount to “recognition” of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, or the Taliban which is heading the Kabul government.
According to sources, “Over the past three years, Afghan diplomats manning the Afghan Embassy and Consulates in India have sought refuge/asylum in different Western countries and have left India.
“A lone former diplomat, who has continued to stay in India, has somehow kept the Afghan Mission/Consulates running. However, the fact remains that there is a large Afghan community based in India, which is in need of consular services.
“More staff is therefore required to effectively service the Afghan nationals currently residing in India.
“A young Afghan student, who the MEA is familiar with, and who has studied in India for seven years while completing his doctorate from South Asia University on an MEA scholarship, has agreed to function as a diplomat in the Afghan Consulate.
“As far as his affiliation or status is concerned, for us, he is an Afghan national working for Afghans in India.
“As regards the issue of recognition, there is a set process for recognition of any Government and India will continue to work with the international community on this issue,” the sources added.
Meanwhile, Tolo News said that the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed its nomination of Ikramuddin Kamil as the Acting Consul for Afghanistan in Mumbai, India.
Aziz Maarij, a former Afghan diplomat, commented on relations with India, said: “Maintaining relations with India, especially when Afghanistan faces global isolation and Afghan citizens and traders need secure economic ties, could solve many of Afghanistan’s challenges.”
Since regaining control of Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate has sought to take over Afghan diplomatic missions abroad. Officials of the Islamic Emirate have previously stated that nearly 40 Afghan diplomatic missions in other countries are currently operating under the administration of the Islamic Emirate, Tolo reported.
The development also comes days after top MEA official J.P. Singh, joint secretary of the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division, was in Kabul and held separate meetings with Afghanistan’s acting foreign and defence ministers.
On November 7, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Amir Khan Muttaqi, in his meeting with J.P. Singh, highlighted the importance of visa facilitation for Afghan traders and the development of commercial relations with India, adding that Afghanistan-India relations are expected to improve in various fields.
The deputy spokesperson added: “The Foreign Minister expressed optimism that relations between the two countries will progress in various areas. Muttaqi stressed that to further enhance economic ties, greater visa facilitation should be provided to Afghans, particularly traders.”
According to the deputy spokesperson, the Indian representative stated that in the near future, discussions will begin among delegations from Afghanistan, India, and other regional countries regarding the Chabahar Port.
Separately, the Ministry of Defense reported that acting Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid met with J.P. Singh, with both sides expressing interest in strengthening interactions between the two countries.
The Indian delegation also discussed the expansion of India’s humanitarian cooperation with Afghanistan in its meeting with the acting Minister of Defense.
(UNI)
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