Taliban 'appoints' consul in Mumbai, govt mum on issue

NEW DELHI: The Taliban claimed to have appointed an acting consul in the Afghanistan mission in Mumbai, even though there was no official confirmation of the development by the Indian govt.

Previous attempts by the regime in Kabul to appoint its own officials as in-charge of Afghan missions have not succeeded in the absence of official recognition by India of Taliban govt, even though India has continued to work closely with Taliban officials on humanitarian issues and has kept its embassy open.

The Afghan media reported Monday that deputy foreign minister Mohammed Stanikzai had announced appointment of Ikramuddin Kamil as acting consul in Mumbai. According to the report, Kamil is in Mumbai, where he is fulfilling his duties as a diplomat representing the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’. There was no response from the Indian side till the evening, although govt sources said it shouldn’t be seen as a step towards recognition of the Taliban govt.

In May 2023, Taliban tried to appoint a chargé d’affaires to head Afghanistan embassy here. His appointment, however, was thwarted by then Afghanistan ambassador Farid Mamundzay, who had been appointed by previous Ghani administration. Mamundzay and others are no longer in charge of Afghan missions.

Jamil holds a PhD in international law and previously served as the deputy director in dept of security cooperation and border affairs in foreign ministry, the report said.

In May, Zakia Wardak, the senior-most Afghan diplomat in India, resigned from her position after reports emerged that she was caught at the Mumbai airport for allegedly trying to smuggle 25 kg of gold worth Rs 18.6 crore from Dubai. India, like rest of international community, has not recognised Taliban govt, but also hasn’t allowed antipathy of past to come in way of cooperation with ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’. India continues to run its embassy in Kabul and has also regularly dispatched relief assistance.