Is Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor Taking Charge of Afghanistan's Embassy in India?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) Senior Taliban official Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor has landed in New Delhi to assume the role of Charge d'Affaires at the Afghan Embassy, as confirmed by officials on Saturday.
Previously, Noor Ahmad Noor held the position of Director General at the First Political Department within Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In recent months, India and Afghanistan have experienced a notable enhancement in their bilateral relations, particularly following the seven-day visit of Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in October of the previous year.
During that visit, Muttaqi made a strong statement regarding the Embassy's control in New Delhi, with the Islamic Emirate's flag visible both in front and behind him.
"This is our flag. We fought jihad under this. This is 100 percent our embassy. All those who are working here... they are all with us," stated Muttaqi while pointing to the flag that symbolized their governance, despite the embassy still displaying the former regime's flag.
Importantly, Mufti Noor was part of the delegation that accompanied FM Muttaqi during his visit to New Delhi.
While India has not officially recognized the Taliban regime, it continues to play a significant role as an aid donor, providing essential supplies and medical aid.
Additionally, the Afghan consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad are now managed by diplomats appointed by the Taliban.
Formerly, Said Muhammad Ibrahim Khil, appointed by the previous government under President Ashraf Ghani, served as the CDA of the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, numerous high-ranking delegations from Afghanistan have visited India to bolster bilateral relations, trade, energy development, and to maximize the use of the India-developed Chabahar Port in Iran while attracting further investments.