A Diplomatic Presence: Examining The Number Of Embassies In Afghanistan

As of February 2024, there are 16 foreign embassies in Afghanistan, with 12 of them being in the country's capital, Kabul. However, the number of foreign embassies and consulates in Afghanistan is reported to be 36 and 10, respectively, by one source. Afghanistan itself maintains around 44 or 49 embassies and 21 or 20 consulates worldwide. The operation of Afghanistan's foreign diplomatic missions has been in flux since the Taliban's 2021 takeover. Most embassies set up by the former internationally-recognised regime have continued to operate independently, and the Taliban has only had limited success in taking control of these missions.

Foreign embassies in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a number of foreign embassies and diplomatic missions within the country, mostly located in the capital city of Kabul. The exact number of foreign embassies varies across sources, with figures ranging from 12 to 32. There are also several consulates and other diplomatic representations in Afghanistan.

As of February 2024, there were 16 embassies in Kabul. These include the embassies of the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Russia, and Pakistan, as well as consulates-general of Pakistan and Iran.

Other countries with diplomatic missions in Afghanistan include Belgium, Brazil, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others. The United States, for example, has an embassy in Kabul and consulates in New York and Los Angeles.

It is worth noting that the operation of Afghanistan's foreign diplomatic missions has been in a state of flux since the Taliban's 2021 takeover. While most embassies set up by the former internationally-recognized regime have continued to operate independently, the Taliban has sought to assert control over these missions through diplomatic efforts and harassment campaigns. As of December 2023, China became the first country to recognise a Taliban-appointed ambassador, and a few other countries have allowed the Taliban to appoint representatives at the chargé d'affaires level.

Afghan embassies abroad

Afghanistan has about 44 to 49 embassies abroad and 21 consulates. The Afghan capital of Kabul hosts 12 embassies, in addition to 18 consulates in Afghanistan.

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, diplomats of the former government have continued to run missions abroad in coordination with the Taliban's foreign ministry. The Taliban regime has taken over 14 diplomatic missions abroad, with China being the first country to accredit a Taliban-appointed ambassador in December 2023.

• Embassy of Afghanistan in Canberra
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Vienna
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Dhaka
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Brussels
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Sofia
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Toronto
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa
• Consulate General of the I.R of Afghanistan in Vancouver
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Beijing
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Munich
• Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Mumbai
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Tehran
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Mashhad
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Zahedan
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Baghdad
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Rome
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Kuwait City
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Bishkek
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Tripoli
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Kuala Lumpur
• Embassy of Afghanistan in The Hague
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Rotterdam
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Oslo
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Muscat
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Karachi
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Peshawar
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Quetta
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Warsaw
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Doha
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Moscow
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Riyadh
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Jeddah
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Seoul
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Madrid
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Colombo
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Stockholm
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Geneva
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Damascus
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Dushanbe
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Kharogh
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Ankara
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Istanbul
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Ashgabat
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Kiev
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Dubai
• Embassy of Afghanistan in London
• Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in New York
• Consulate General of Afghanistan in Los Angeles

Countries that have handed over control of Afghan diplomatic missions

Since the Taliban's forceful takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the country has faced international isolation, with no country officially recognizing the Taliban regime. Despite this, some countries have handed over control of Afghan diplomatic missions by allowing the Taliban to appoint representatives.

In February 2023, Turkey handed over the consulate in Istanbul to a Taliban appointee, although there were reports that the existing leadership refused to step down. In the same month, Iran also handed over control of Afghanistan's embassy in Tehran to Taliban envoys.

As of December 2023, Taliban appointees for embassy chargés d'affaires have been accredited by Kazakhstan, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. The Taliban has also been given control of the embassies in Qatar and Malaysia, the missions in India, and the consulate general in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

China has been the only country to officially recognize the Taliban regime as of January 2024 and has accredited a Taliban-appointed ambassador.

Countries that have not recognised the Taliban regime

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, no countries have extended diplomatic recognition to the new regime. However, in December 2023, China became the first country to accredit a Taliban-appointed ambassador. As of January 2024, China is the only country that has recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as the legitimate successor to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Several countries have vowed never to recognize the Islamic Emirate, while others have stated that recognition would only be possible if human rights in the country were respected. Some countries have taken steps toward establishing ties with the Taliban, and a few have accredited Taliban diplomats at the chargé d'affaires level.

Australia

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne, stated that Australia would not make any premature commitments to engage with a Taliban-led administration. Australia will support international efforts to maintain pressure on the Taliban and encourage any future Afghan administration to meet its responsibilities to its people and the world.

Bangladesh

The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, AK Abdul Momen, expressed that Bangladesh would be open to engagement with a Taliban government, stating that they would accept a new government as long as it is for the people. Bangladesh and Afghanistan have good diplomatic relations, and Bangladesh is considered a potential development partner and friend of Afghanistan.

Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau affirmed that Canada will not recognize the Islamic Emirate as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, and the Taliban would remain a banned organization in the country. Canada has designated the Taliban as a terrorist organization.

Czech Republic

Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhánek stated that the Czech Republic would not recognize the Taliban under any circumstances, although he did not rule out the possibility of dialogue with the group.

France

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian stated that France refuses to recognize or have any type of relationship with the Taliban government.

India

The Indian government does not recognize the Taliban government but has said that they will help Afghanistan whenever required. India has no official ties with the Taliban and regards it as a dangerous source of Islamic terrorism.

Indonesia

Indonesian constitutional experts urged the Indonesian government not to hastily recognize Afghanistan under the Taliban government, as the transfer of power occurred without constitutional means. Former vice president Jusuf Kalla believes that Indonesia will not sever diplomatic connections with Afghanistan. Indonesian officials have visited Kabul and met with Taliban representatives.

Iran

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated that the US "military failure" in Afghanistan offers an opportunity to establish lasting peace in the country. Iran has accredited the Taliban's nominee for Chargé d'Affaires and handed over the embassy in Tehran.

Malaysia

Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah stated that Malaysia is undecided about recognizing the Taliban and will take a cautious approach.

Russia

Russia has not recognized the Taliban as the lawful authority in Afghanistan but has expressed interest in developing ties. Russia has engaged diplomatically with the Taliban and kept its embassy in Kabul open. However, Russia is in no rush to recognize them as the country's rulers.

United States

Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US will not recognize any government that harbors terrorist groups or fails to uphold basic human rights. The US has not formally recognized any specific group or individual as the legitimate governing power in Afghanistan.

While no countries have officially recognized the Taliban regime, it is important to note that some countries have taken steps toward engagement or maintained practical relations without granting formal recognition. The dynamic nature of international relations and the ongoing efforts to address Afghanistan's situation may lead to shifts in these positions over time.

Countries with consulates in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has 16 embassies in Kabul, as of February 2024. In addition, there are 18 consulates in Afghanistan. Here is a list of countries with consulates in Afghanistan:

• Belgium
• Brazil
• Iran
• Pakistan
• Russia
• Tajikistan
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan

Since the Taliban's 2021 takeover of the government by force, the operation of Afghanistan's foreign diplomatic missions has been in transition. The Taliban has pursued control of these missions through diplomatic efforts and harassment campaigns. Despite this, most embassies continue to operate independently and recognise documents issued by all missions. China became the first country to accredit a Taliban-appointed ambassador in December 2023.

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