Afghanistan's diplomat in India resigns amid Gold smuggling allegations

Mumbai: Zakia Wardak, the Afghan Consul-General in Mumbai, India, on Sunday resigned from her position following allegations of gold smuggling, media sources report. Wardak confirmed her resignation via her official channel, expressing regret over stepping away from her role effective May 5, 2024.

According to Indian media, Wardak and her son were detained by financial intelligence authorities at Mumbai airport last month upon arrival from Dubai. They were found in possession of 25 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately $1.9 million. Although Wardak benefited from diplomatic immunity and was not arrested, the gold was confiscated.

With Wardak's resignation, thousands of Afghan nationals, including students and businessmen, are left without consular representation in India.

 Currently, the Taliban authorities control several Afghan embassies abroad, while others operate with a hybrid system in which embassy staff continue routine consular tasks despite the absence of an ambassador.

Following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August 2021, most countries evacuated their missions from Afghanistan. However, a few embassies, including those of Pakistan, China, and Russia, remained operational with ambassadors still stationed in Kabul.