Is Another Taliban Representative Taking Charge of Afghanistan's Hyderabad Consulate?

New Delhi, Aug 6 (NationPress) Following the recent developments in Mumbai, another Afghan Taliban representative has assumed control of consular operations in Hyderabad, as the Kabul regime shows a strong interest in broadening its diplomatic footprint in India.

A reliable source informed IANS on Wednesday that M. Rehman, the Taliban's newly appointed representative, has been leading Afghanistan's consulate in Hyderabad since June of this year.

Ikramuudin Kamil had previously taken over Afghanistan's Mumbai Consulate last year, while the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi is still overseen by Charge d'Affaires Said Muhammad Ibrahim Khil, who was nominated by the administration of former President Ashraf Ghani.

Although Khil is officially in charge of the Hyderabad mission, sources indicate that since June, the new Taliban representative has been the primary decision-maker regarding consular affairs.

These sequential appointments in Mumbai and Hyderabad emphasize Kabul's desire to maintain positive diplomatic relations with New Delhi.

Since the Taliban's takeover, some Afghan diplomats have departed India to acquire residency in third-party nations, while those who remain have taken on the responsibility of ensuring the continued operation of their war-torn nation's diplomatic missions.

Last month, Russia became the inaugural country to formally recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, which has been criticized by human rights organizations globally for its treatment of women—a key barrier to the Taliban seeking wider international acceptance.

After the Taliban's takeover, personnel from the Indian Embassy in Kabul returned to India. However, an Indian technical team has been stationed in the Embassy since June 2022, focusing on humanitarian support and other critical matters. India's position regarding recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan aligns with the views of the international community.

Another source disclosed to IANS that following New Delhi's resumption of visa issuance to Afghan citizens, including medical visas, a high-ranking delegation from Kabul may visit New Delhi next month.

"If the delegation visits and everything proceeds smoothly, it would mark a significant advancement in diplomatic ties with Kabul. The Taliban aims to take control of the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi, which is currently managed by an individual still representing the former regime. It appears that by the end of this year, Taliban-designated officials will take over the New Delhi Embassy, signaling a new chapter in India-Taliban relations," stated an official, who wished to remain anonymous.

Notably, there has been elevated diplomatic interaction between New Delhi and Kabul recently.

Following Operation Sindoor, India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar engaged in discussions with the acting Afghan Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, praising his strong condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist incident. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also met with Muttaqi during a visit to the UAE in January, where both parties agreed to enhance trade through the Iranian port of Chabahar.

In November 2024, J.P. Singh, former Joint Secretary responsible for Pakistan-Iran and Afghanistan desks and now India’s Ambassador to Israel, traveled to Kabul to meet with Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Taliban's Defence Minister.