Taliban Diplomate Arrives In India To Take Charge Of Afghan Embassy Amid Non-Recognition Stance
New Delhi: Although India has not formally recognized the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government since the 2021 takeover by the group, India on Saturday received Noor Ahmad Noor as he arrived in the country to serve at the Afghan embassy in Shantipath as Taliban diplomate, making the first Taliban appointed nominee in the country.
The development comes following Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit last October to India. India had reportedly agreed to accept their nominees while keeping the pre-Taliban flag and some former staff in place for now.
Though India does not recognize the Taliban regime, it is maintaining functional diplomatic ties through a technical mission in Kabul and increasing humanitarian/development aid, a policy of “engagement without recognition.”
Noor Ahmad Noor, a senior Taliban member who had accompanied Mr. Mottaqi during his week-long official visit to India, has previously served as the Director General of first political department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar had reached an agreement with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate, to accept diplomats appointed by the Islamic Emirate for the Afghan embassy in New Delhi.
Notably, a previous attempt by the Taliban to appoint a Charge d’Affaires in Delhi was foiled in April 2023 after the appointee was rejected by staffers at the embassy and blocked from entering the premises.
