The shutdown of the Afghan embassy

Subject: International Relations

Section: Places in news

Context: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan announced the closure of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Delhi.

More about the news:

On September 30, a statement carrying the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan announced the closure of the Embassy of Afghanistan in Delhi.
In its official communication, the Embassy of Afghanistan blamed multiple factors including lack of cooperation from the Government of India and a lack of resources to operate any further.
Furthermore, the embassy has urged the Indian government to fly the flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan over embassy premises. It has also asked New Delhi to hand over the mission to a “legitimate government” of Afghanistan sometime in the future.

What does the shutdown of the embassy mean:

Despite the closure of the embassy in Delhi, India and Afghanistan are continuing engagement with each other in a curious way.
India has been maintaining a “technical team” in Kabul where the staff provides visas to Afghan traders and travellers to India.
There are two weekly flights that carry Afghan citizens and items to India.
India uses the flights while sending humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. That apart, some Indian goods are also entering Afghanistan through other countries like Iran and the UAE

Will the move affect travel and trade between Afghanistan and India:

Despite Afghanistan’s embassy in Delhi announcing its closure, the consulates in Hyderabad and Mumbai remain operational, with Consul General Zakia Wardak affirming their commitment to Afghan students, refugees, and traders, offering support amidst potential confusion.