KABUL – India has not recognized the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan but we are advocating instead for the establishment of an inclusive government in Kabul, said India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a recent statement made to Lok Sabha on Friday.

In the statement, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to Afghanistan, guided by historical relations, friendship with its people, and relevant UN resolutions. The diplomatic presence of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad continues to function.

While India has not acknowledged the Taliban setup, it has consistently pressed for a truly inclusive government in Kabul, ensuring Afghan soil is not used for terrorist activities, he said.

Despite some Afghan diplomats leaving India in the past two years, those remaining have taken on the responsibility of sustaining diplomatic missions. The recent closure of the Afghan embassy in New Delhi, announced by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, was attributed to internal power struggles and the departure of diplomats seeking asylum in the West, he said.

Ambassador Mamundzay, currently in London, handed over the embassy’s oversight to Afghan Consul General in Mumbai, Zakia Wardrak. Jaishankar highlighted India’s adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 2593, emphasizing the need to uphold human rights, prevent the use of Afghan territory for terrorism, and seek a negotiated political settlement.

The Indian technical team, positioned in the Kabul Embassy since June 2022, is actively involved in humanitarian assistance. India has provided significant aid, including 50,000 MTs of wheat, 250 tons of medical aid, and 28 tons of earthquake relief, delivered to organizations such as the United Nations World Food Programme, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, and Afghan Red Crescent Society.

Jaishankar underscored India’s enduring ties with Afghanistan, citing over five hundred projects spanning critical sectors. A dedicated technical team in Kabul monitors project statuses, ensuring their functionality while supporting humanitarian efforts in the region.

Culled from Afghanistan Times