The National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan, a group of anti-Taliban political figures based abroad, criticised India’s decision to allow a Taliban-appointed diplomat to take charge of Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi, calling the move “hasty” and disconnected from realities on the ground in Afghanistan.
In a statement, the council said the Taliban, which has not been formally recognised by the international community, did not meet the conditions to represent Afghanistan diplomatically, citing what it described as a record of “systematic human rights violations” and breaches of international law.
The council said engagement and normalisation of relations with the Taliban – which it described as an extremist group that does not represent the Afghan people – was at odds with expectations, given India’s longstanding ties with the people of Afghanistan.
It warned that recognising or engaging with the Taliban could have “negative and irreversible security and social consequences” at regional and international levels, undermining efforts to achieve lasting peace and a rules-based international order.
The council urged the Indian government to continue cooperation with the Afghan people and what it called their “legitimate representatives,” and called on the international community to adopt a cautious approach grounded in international law and the will of the people of the country.
India’s foreign ministry has said the Taliban nominated Noor Ahmad Noor as chargé d’affaires at Afghanistan’s embassy in New Delhi, following India’s decision to upgrade its technical mission in Kabul.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the move came after a visit to India by Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
India has not recognised the Taliban administration but has expanded diplomatic engagement with them since they returned to power in August 2021.
