Afghanistan's Consul-General in India Resigns Amid Gold Smuggling Allegations

Afghanistan's Consul-General in India's Mumbai, Zakia Wardak, has resigned from her position following accusations of smuggling nearly $2 million worth of gold into the country. Wardak confirmed her resignation on her official social media handle, citing regret over her decision to step away from her role effective May 5, 2024.

With Afghanistan's embassy in New Delhi closed since November, Wardak served as the country's most senior representative in India after the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021. Recent reports indicate that Wardak and her son were stopped by financial intelligence authorities at Mumbai airport last month, carrying 25 kilograms of gold worth approximately $1.9 million. Despite diplomatic immunity, the gold was confiscated.

Wardak's resignation has left thousands of Afghan nationals in India without consular representation. While most countries do not officially recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, they acknowledge them as the de facto ruling authority. Wardak mentioned facing personal attacks and defamation over the past year, highlighting the challenges women encounter in Afghan society.

Currently, the Taliban authorities control around a dozen Afghan embassies abroad, while others operate under a hybrid system with embassy staff continuing consular work. Following the Taliban's takeover in 2021, several countries evacuated their missions from Kabul, although a few embassies, including Pakistan, China, and Russia, maintained their presence in the Afghan capital.

The resignation of Zakia Wardak amidst allegations of gold smuggling has raised concerns about diplomatic representation for Afghan nationals in India. The situation reflects the complexities faced by Afghan diplomats following the Taliban's return to power and the challenges encountered by women in Afghan society.