Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – In a surprising development, the Taliban has appointed a former Afghan student, Dr. Ikramuddin Kamil, as the acting consul at Afghanistan’s consulate in Mumbai. Afghanistan’s deputy foreign minister A.K. Stanikzai confirmed the appointment on X (formerly Twitter) late Monday, marking the Taliban’s first attempt to station their representative in India since taking control of Afghanistan in 2021.
India, which has not officially recognized the Taliban regime, has refrained from formal comment on Kamil’s posting. However, sources have indicated that Kamil—a doctoral graduate from South Asia University in New Delhi, where he studied for seven years on an Indian government scholarship—is seen primarily as an Afghan national fulfilling consular duties rather than a Taliban appointee. “For us, he is a young Afghan national working to support Afghans in India,” a source explained.
This unique appointment underscores Kamil’s prior status as a student rather than a seasoned diplomat, drawing attention to India’s cautious approach. While the Taliban formally labeled him an acting consul, India views him as providing practical support for the large Afghan community in the country without implying any shift in recognition of the Taliban regime.
India’s decision comes amid ongoing challenges for Afghan representation. Currently, only one diplomat appointed by the former Afghan government remains in New Delhi, while others have sought asylum elsewhere. This appointment, coinciding with a recent meeting between an Indian delegation and Afghanistan’s interim defense minister, signals India’s pragmatic stance in continuing essential consular services despite political uncertainties.
