History of Afghanistan–Canada relations in Timeline

Afghanistan and Canada established formal diplomatic ties in 1968, marked by the opening of embassies in Kabul and Ottawa in 2003 and 2002 respectively. Bilateral relations drastically changed in August 2021, due to the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan, which led to the closure of the Canadian embassy in Kabul. Despite these changes, the Afghan embassy in Ottawa remains open, staffed by representatives of the former Afghan government, indicating a level of continued, albeit altered, diplomatic engagement.

1968: Diplomatic relations established

In 1968, Afghanistan and Canada established diplomatic relations.

1971: Canadian aid to Afghanistan

In 1971, Canada provided aid to Afghanistan consisting of 257,000 bushels of wheat, following a drought that reduced cereal crop production.

1979: Canada severs diplomatic ties

In 1979, the Soviet-Afghan War and the installation of an authoritarian regime in Afghanistan led Canada to sever diplomatic ties.

1989: No re-establishment of full diplomatic relations

Even after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, Canada and Afghanistan did not re-establish full diplomatic relations, and contact was minimal despite humanitarian aid efforts by Canada in the 1990s.

1996: Taliban takes control of Afghanistan

In 1996, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, leading Canada to become an outspoken critic of the Taliban's human rights abuses.

September 11, 2001: Canada re-evaluates policies toward Afghanistan

On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks prompted Canada to re-evaluate its policies toward Afghanistan.

January 25, 2002: Canada re-establishes diplomatic relations with Afghanistan

On January 25, 2002, Canada re-established diplomatic relations with Afghanistan.

2002: Afghanistan appoints ambassador to Canada

In 2002, Afghanistan appointed its first resident ambassador to Canada.

2002: List of Afghan Representatives in Ottawa since 2002

Since 2002, here is the list of Afghan Representatives in Ottawa:

October 2003: Original end date of Operation Apollo

The Canadian commitment to Operation Apollo was originally planned to last until October 2003.

2003: Canada opens embassy in Kabul

In 2003, Canada opened its embassy in Kabul and appointed its first resident ambassador.

July 2009: Agreement signed on land for Canadian embassy

In July 2009, an agreement was signed in Kabul for the Afghan government to hand over eight acres of land to the Canadian embassy.

December 2010: Ambassador Jawed Ludin completed assignment

In December 2010, Ambassador Jawed Ludin completed his assignment in Ottawa.

March 2012: Barna Karimi fills ambassadorship

In March 2012, Barna Karimi filled the ambassador position in Ottawa.

2020: Canadian embassy temporarily suspends operations

In 2020, the Canadian embassy temporarily suspended operations due to safety concerns in the lead-up to the Taliban breaching of the capital in 2021.

August 2021: Canada closes embassy in Kabul

In August 2021, Canada closed its embassy in Kabul with the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan.

2021: Taliban breaching of the capital

In 2021, the Canadian embassy temporarily suspended operations due to safety concerns in the lead-up to the Taliban breaching of the capital.

October 2022: Appointment of Special Representative of Canada in Afghanistan

In October 2022, Canada resumed a level of diplomatic operations when David Sproule was appointed Special Representative of Canada in Afghanistan.

2022: U.S. closes Embassy of Afghanistan, Washington, D.C.

In 2022, the U.S. closed the Embassy of Afghanistan, Washington, D.C.

2024: Last Canadian ambassador left

As of 2024, the last Canadian ambassador appointed to the Canadian Embassy in Kabul was Reid Sirrs, who left in late 2020 when the embassy temporarily suspended operations due to safety concerns in the lead-up to the Taliban breaching of the capital in 2021.