Taliban Appoints Acting Consul in Mumbai; First Such Appointment in India
- Posted on November 12, 2024
- News
- By Arijit Dutta
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The Taliban has appointed Ikramuddin Kamil as acting consul in Mumbai, marking its first such appointment in India. Kamil, already in Mumbai, will manage consular services for Afghan nationals. This appointment fills the diplomatic gap left by the previous Afghan government’s officials.
In an unprecedented move, the Taliban has appointed Ikramuddin Kamil as the acting consul in Mumbai, according to a Taliban-controlled media outlet on Monday. This marks the Taliban's first formal diplomatic appointment in India since taking control in Afghanistan in 2021. Although there has been no official response from the Indian government, Kamil is reportedly in Mumbai to provide consular services, mainly for Afghan nationals residing in India.
The Bakhtar News Agency, overseen by the Taliban, announced Kamil’s assignment, noting his qualifications, which include a PhD in international law. Kamil previously held a senior role in the foreign ministry, overseeing security cooperation and border issues. His appointment comes shortly after a meeting between Indian representatives and the Taliban’s acting defense minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, in Kabul.
Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban’s deputy foreign minister, also confirmed Kamil’s appointment via social media. It was noted that Kamil had studied in India under a scholarship from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), acquiring his higher education at the South Asian University in New Delhi.
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The Taliban's appointment is seen as a practical response to the diplomatic void left by the previous Afghan government. After former ambassador Farid Mamundzay departed in 2023, Afghan diplomatic operations in India faced setbacks, leading to the eventual closure of the embassy in New Delhi. With Kamil’s new role, the Taliban aims to address the needs of Afghanistan’s significant diaspora in India.
India, like many countries, does not officially recognize the Taliban regime but has maintained a minimal diplomatic presence in Kabul since June 2022.
