Afghanistan–Italy relations

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Afghanistan-Italy relations

Afghanistan
Italy

Afghanistan–Italy relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Italy which were formed in 1919. Both nations are members of the United Nations.

History[]

Italy was among the first nations to recognise Afghanistan's sovereignty, along with Germany, Turkey, France, and Iran, following the 1919 recognition by the Soviet Union.[1]

Italian-Afghan relations have generally been positive. When the Afghan king Amanullah Khan was deposed in 1929, he and his family including queen Soraya Tarzi settled in exile in Rome following an invitation by Queen Elena of Italy.[2] Some of their children and descendants including Princess India of Afghanistan grew up in and continue to call Italy home.[2][3]

Italy began to take on increased involvement (although on a relatively small scale) in 1935, as Afghanistan established closer relations with Germany, a key Italian ally.[4] Relations were hit by the Italian war in Ethiopia, which Afghanistan viewed as a dangerous precedent for Soviet or British expansion in Afghanistan.[5]

Amanullah's long desire to return to the throne in Afghanistan caused friction between Afghanistan and the United Kingdom, who viewed it as a threat to the balance of power in central Asia. The former Afghan sovereign continued getting state subsidies by the Italian king Victor Emmanuel III.[5]

Afghanistan maintained these ties throughout much of World War II, though it came under strong pressure from Moscow and London to expel the German and Italian diplomatic corps.[4]

The only church in Afghanistan, the Chapel in Kabul, was created by the Italian embassy and is maintained by an Italian.

King Mohammed Zahir Shah of Afghanistan, deposed in 1973, was also exiled to Italy, living in Rome until his return to Afghanistan 29 years later. He was flown to Kabul on April 18, 2002 in an Italian military plane.[6]

An Italian Air Force member helping Afghan Air Force staff during the ISAF mission, 2011
Italian Army helicopter in Farah Base, Afghanistan during the Resolute Support Mission, 2019

Italy was part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) that was active in Afghanistan after December 2001. Italian forces's Area of Responsibility was in the west of Afghanistan including Herat (Train Advise Assist Command – West).[7] Italian troops remained in Afghanistan until June 30, 2021.[8]

Embassies[]

Due to political changes and war in Afghanistan, the Italian embassy in Afghanistan was temporarily closed in 1979, 1989, 1993[9] and again in 2021.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ Amin Saikal (28 November 2006). Modern Afghanistan: A History of Struggle and Survival. I.B.Tauris. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-84511-316-2.
  2. ^ a b "Afghanistan Independence Day — DW talks to Afghan princess in exile | DW | 19.08.2019". DW.COM.
  3. ^ Times, Paul Hofmann Special to The New York (April 29, 1979). "Afghan King, In Rome Exile, Tightens Belt" – via NYTimes.com.
  4. ^ a b Tom Lansford (2003). A Bitter Harvest: Us Foreign Policy and Afghanistan. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-7546-3615-1.
  5. ^ a b "Bilateral Relations". ambkabul.esteri.it.
  6. ^ "Afghanistan: Former King Returns To Kabul After Decades In Exile". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.
  7. ^ "The Italian Contingent". www.difesa.it.
  8. ^ "Germany, Italy Complete Troop Exit From Afghanistan | Voice of America - English". www.voanews.com.
  9. ^ Rome, Afghanistan Embassy-. "DIPLOMATIC HISTORY". HOME - EMBASSY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN - ROME - ITALY.
  10. ^ "Italy to transfer its Afghanistan embassy to Qatar - minister". Reuters. September 5, 2021.
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