00:00 In a significant turn of events, the Afghanistan embassy in New Delhi has declared a permanent
00:06 closure, a decision that comes nearly two months after initially announcing the cessation of
00:12 embassy operations. What was initially perceived as a temporary halt has now evolved into a
00:19 definitive shutdown. Join us as we delve into the details surrounding this diplomatic development
00:25 and explore the factors that led to the embassy's decision move toward a permanent closure.
00:30 The embassy released an official statement and said,
00:36 "Effective from November 23, 2023, owing to persistent challenges from the Indian government,
00:43 the decision follows the embassy's earlier cessation of operations on September 30,
00:49 a move made in the hope that the Indian government's stance will favorably change
00:54 to let the mission operate normally." The closure of Afghanistan embassy in New
01:00 Delhi comes over two years after the Taliban took over Kabul following the conclusive
01:05 American military withdrawal from the country. Afghanistan embassy said,
01:10 "This decision is the result of broader changes in policy and interests. To the Afghan citizens
01:18 in India, the embassy extends its sincere gratitude for its understanding and support
01:23 throughout our mission's tenure." Despite limitations in resources and power,
01:29 the Afghan embassy said it has worked tirelessly for the betterment and in the absence of legitimate
01:35 government in Kabul. As the situation unfolded, the diplomats in Afghanistan New Delhi embassy
01:42 found themselves employed by the previously democratically elected and US-backed Ashraf
01:47 Ghani government. However, as the Taliban advanced towards Kabul on August 13, 2021,
01:55 Ghani, accompanied by a handful of aides, fled the country, marking the dramatic collapse of
02:01 Afghan forces and the civilian administration's structure. The embassy's fate hung in the balance.
02:08 At the end, I will read out what exactly the Afghanistan embassy had said in its release,
02:15 "We assured the Afghan community that the mission operated with transparency,
02:20 accountability and a commitment to fair treatment based on the goodwill and interests of Afghanistan
02:26 considering historic ties and bilateral relations with India. Unfortunately, efforts have been made
02:33 to tarnish our image and hinder diplomatic efforts in order to justify the presence and work of
02:39 Taliban-appointed and affiliated diplomats. In the face of these challenges, our committed team
02:46 worked diligently in the most difficult circumstances, prioritizing the interests
02:51 of the 40 million Afghans in every possible sphere from securing humanitarian aid and online
02:58 education scholarships to facilitating ease in trade and advocating for the formation
03:03 of a broad-based government."
03:11 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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