Taliban Rejects Claims of Indian Diplomat Expulsion, Calls Kumar’s Return ‘Routine’

DID Press: Taliban caretaker government’s foreign ministry dismissed reports that an Indian diplomat was expelled from Afghanistan, clarifying that his return to New Delhi was due to the normal completion of his assignment.

According to ministry sources, recent claims that a member of India’s mission in Kabul had been declared persona non grata are “baseless.” Officials said no Indian diplomat has been ordered to leave, nor has any such decision been made regarding India’s representation in Afghanistan.

Sources explained that Harish Kumar, an Indian diplomat based in Kabul, returned home after concluding his official mission – a “standard diplomatic procedure” that occurs regularly between states.

The clarification comes amid recurring speculation in regional media about Kabul–New Delhi relations, particularly concerning political and security engagement.