The Taliban government has appointed Ikramuddin Kamil as the Acting Consul General at the Afghan mission in Mumbai, as reported by Afghan media. This marks the first time the Taliban has made such an appointment in an Afghan mission in India. The Indian side has yet to provide an official response to this appointment.
Sources reveal that Kamil studied in India and was appointed to assist Afghan nationals residing here. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated that there is a defined process for recognizing any government and that India will continue to work on this matter with the international community.
Additionally, according to ANI, several Afghan diplomats previously posted in Afghan embassies and consulates in India have sought asylum in Western countries in recent years. There remains a significant Afghan community in India that requires consular services, necessitating additional staff.
The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Kamil’s appointment as the acting Consul General in Mumbai, where he currently represents the Islamic Emirate. Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai confirmed Kamil’s appointment on social media platform ‘X,’ describing it as part of Kabul’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with India.