MUMBAI, India — Afghanistan’s consulate in Mumbai, run by the Taliban, announced that it has begun offering consular services and distributing passports to Afghan nationals residing in India.
According to Taliban state media, the Taliban’s consulate general stated that the process started on Monday, November 11.
This move comes days after an Indian delegation’s visit to Kabul.
Many Afghans, particularly students in India, have reported facing significant challenges related to legal residency documents.
Additionally, Afghans living in other countries have expressed concern over their uncertain status due to the Taliban’s rule and lack of international recognition.
Previously, the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement deeming consular services provided by Afghan diplomatic missions in Western countries as “invalid.” The ministry clarified that it does not recognize documents or consular services—including certificates, attestations, letters of non-liability, passport issuance, renewal stickers, visas, and other services—provided by Afghan diplomatic offices in cities such as London, Brussels, Berlin, Bonn, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Australia.
The Taliban have urged Afghan citizens and foreign nationals to seek necessary documentation from Afghan diplomatic missions under their management in other countries.
India, which has not recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, continues to refrain from formally accepting their appointed ambassador. Nevertheless, the Taliban claim to oversee operations at the Afghan consulate in Mumbai.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, previously stated during the annual report session of the ministry that the Taliban currently control or manage 39 embassies, consulates, and diplomatic offices worldwide.
Despite these claims, no country or international body has formally recognized the Taliban. The U.S. State Department has reiterated its position, referring to the Taliban as “a terrorist organization.”
