The Taliban administration has designated Ikramuddin Kamil as the interim consul at the Afghan mission in Mumbai. This data has been provided by Afghan media outlets. This is the inaugural appointment of its kind by the Taliban for any Afghan mission in India. Nonetheless, there was no prompt official response from the Indian side regarding this appointment.
At the same time, sources indicated that the individual chosen has studied in India and has been designated to assist Afghan nationals residing in India. In addition to this, concerning the acknowledgment of the Taliban regime, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that there is a defined procedure for recognizing any administration, and India will persist in collaborating with the international community on this matter.
Over the past three years, numerous Afghan diplomats from the Afghan embassy and consulates in India have sought asylum in Western nations and departed from India. Nevertheless, a previous diplomat remains in India and is somehow overseeing the operations of the Afghan mission and consulates. Many members of the Afghan community reside in India and continue to need consular services. Consequently, additional personnel is necessary to address the requirements of Afghan citizens now residing in India.
According to sources, a young Afghan student studied in India for seven years and earned his doctorate from South Asia University with an MEA scholarship. He has consented to serve as a diplomat at this consulate. The MEA stated that he is an Afghan national involved in assisting Afghan citizens in India.
On Monday under Taliban control, cited unnamed sources reporting that Afghanistan’s foreign ministry designated Kamil as the acting consul in Mumbai. It stated, “He is now in Mumbai, fulfilling his responsibilities as a diplomat for the Islamic Emirate.”
The media organization stated that the appointment is a segment of Kabul’s endeavors to enhance diplomatic relations with India and boost its international presence. Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, also shared news of Kamil’s appointment on the social media site ‘X’.