Indian Embassy’s Invite to Afghan Envoy in UAE is Routine, Doesn't Mean Taliban Recognition: Sources

The Indian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates extending an invitation to Taliban representative in the UAE Badruddin Haqqani was just part of the diplomatic convention and does not translate to official recognition of the Taliban regime, top government sources told News18.

Badruddin Haqqani, brother of Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, is the Charge d’Affaires of the ‘Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’ in the UAE and was formerly a member of the Haqqani Network.

His office has reportedly received an invitation to attend the reception scheduled to be held at an Abu Dhabi hotel on January 26, India’s Republic Day.

“There is nothing like backdoor recognition in diplomacy… India has still not recognised Taliban,” a source in the government told News18, playing down speculation over the invite.

“As per diplomatic convention in Abu Dhabi, an invite is sent to all accredited missions of the host country and the same is followed in the case of Afghanistan Ambassador who is from Taliban,” the official added.

“We already have a technical mission in Kabul. We are assisting the Afghanistan government on humanitarian grounds already. Medicines and food are going to Afghanistan. Our top delegations have also visited them occasionally and met top leadership.”

Asked about the future of New Delhi’s relationship with the Taliban regime, sources said no conclusion has been reached so far. “Every decision by India will be taken in national interest as other countries have maintained some working relationship with them.”

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha last month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said India’s approach to Afghanistan continues to be guided by its historical relations, friendship with its people and relevant UN resolutions.

India has not yet recognised the Taliban set up and has been pitching for the formation of a truly inclusive government in Kabul besides insisting that Afghan soil must not be used for any terrorist activities against any country.

The Afghan embassy in New Delhi, under the control of Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, announced its permanent closure in November, citing “persistent challenges from the Indian government”.

It was later learnt that Mamundzay’s announcement of the closure of the embassy was more to do with internal power struggle and departure of around 20 diplomats from India seeking asylum in the West. Mamundzay has been in London since June.

The UNSC resolution 2593, adopted on August 30, 2021 talked about the need for upholding human rights in Afghanistan, demanded that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism and that a negotiated political settlement should be found to the crisis.

“The India based personnel of the embassy in Kabul returned to India in the aftermath of the takeover by the Taliban. Since June 2022, an Indian technical team is positioned in the Embassy and is active in respect of humanitarian assistance and other situations,” Jaishankar had said.