Following the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi's announcement of its intention to suspend operations from October 1, the Indian government clarified that, to their understanding, the embassy is currently operational.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated during a press conference that the embassy in New Delhi appears to be functioning as usual, and they have maintained contact with Afghan diplomats stationed there, as well as diplomats at the consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad.
The Ministry of External Affairs had previously received communication from the embassy, indicating their intention to suspend operations at the end of September. However, the Indian government considers the decision to close an embassy as an internal matter for the foreign mission involved.
The government expressed its hope that a significant number of Afghan nationals in India, including students, will continue to receive necessary consular support. They also reaffirmed their commitment to assisting the people of Afghanistan.
Regarding the visit of the US Ambassador to Pakistan to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the MEA reiterated India's stance that the entire Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. They urged the international community to respect India's sovereignty and territorial integrity and informed that they had raised concerns about the visit with the US.
Regarding Canada's diplomatic presence in India, the Indian government noted the significant presence of Canadian diplomats and their alleged interference in India's internal affairs. They stated that discussions are ongoing to establish parity in the respective diplomatic presence between the two countries.
The MEA also addressed concerns about the presence of Khalistani elements in the US and the UK. They emphasized their ongoing efforts to address concerns related to the security of Indian diplomats, premises, and individuals sought by Indian security and judicial systems. They mentioned that they had communicated their concerns to the UK authorities following a protest in the UK on October 2.
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