Taliban Expels Indian Diplomat for Alleged Ties to Opposition
The Taliban has expelled Harish Kumar, a senior Indian diplomat, from Afghanistan, accusing him of meeting with anti-Taliban figures and attempting to organize opposition against the group.
Kokcha News Agency: Sources in Kabul have informed that the Taliban expelled Harish Kumar, a senior Indian diplomat, from Afghanistan on August 17. Kumar, who was appointed as a diplomat and officer for India’s external intelligence agency in Kabul after the collapse of the previous Afghan government, was labeled an “undesirable element” by the Taliban. The group accused him of holding meetings with anti-Taliban figures and attempting to organize them against the regime.
Kumar reportedly traveled to Delhi and Qatar, where he met with several anti-Taliban leaders to discuss organizing a conference in Islamabad. However, the conference was postponed due to strong opposition from senior Taliban leaders, including Abdul Ghani Baradar, Yaqub Mujahid, and Amir Khan Muttaqi. Sources indicate that Kumar was in contact with anti-Taliban leaders to arrange a conference in Qatar or Dubai.
Upon returning to Kabul on August 13, Kumar met with several anti-Taliban figures at a restaurant in the city’s Shahr-e-Naw district on August 15. Taliban intelligence raided the restaurant and detained the Afghan participants. On August 16, Taliban officials summoned Indian embassy diplomats in Kabul and announced their decision to expel Kumar immediately. He left Kabul on August 17 and returned to Delhi.
The Indian embassy has yet to comment on the matter.
