Emergency consular services would continue being operational

Lack of timely support from nation cited as reason

Embassy requests government's support for smooth transition

The Afghanistan embassy has decided to cease functioning in the national capital of India, Delhi. “It is with profound sadness, regret and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations. 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,” a statement from its press release mentioned. 

The embassy mentioned an environment not conducive for carrying out its duties as the reason for the closure. “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 expressed.

The embassy requested the government of India to consider the four requests they notified the government about. “We emphasise the importance of permitting the hoisting of the Afghan flag over the properties of our premises, as well as facilitating the smooth transition of the mission’s buildings and assets to a legitimate government in Kabul in the future,” the press release said.