New Delhi: - Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Ashraf Haidari met with Professor Rani Mullen, Ph.D., Fulbright-Nehru Senior Scholar, Jamia Millia Islamia University Afghanistan Studies Center, on June 30, 2014 at the Embassy. Based on her archival research, Professor Mullen presented to Mr. Haidari a historical photograph of an Afghan sports delegation, visiting New Delhi on February 1, 1951 (full details beneath the photograph below), for the Embassy’s archival records. The photograph demonstrates the ever growing ties between Afghanistan and India, before and after India’s independence in 1947. The photograph includes senior New Delhi officials, including Professor Mullen’s grandfather, New Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Rameshwar Dayal, as well as the then the Ambassador of Afghanistan to India, H.E. Dr. Najibullah Khan. It is also interesting to note the presence of Mr. Mansoor Ali Khan, the Nawab of Pataudi, who is father of well-known Indian actor, Mr. Saif Ali Khan.
Since then, with the exception of a decade of turmoil in Afghanistan, Indo-Afghan relations have continued to expand in different spheres, including culture and sports. Afghan artists and sports teams often visit India to exhibit their works or participate in regional sports tournaments, including football, cricket, and martial arts, among others.
Photo description: On February 1, 1951, the Afghan football team for the Asian Games arrived in New Delhi and a ceremonial reception was held for them at the National Stadium in New Delhi where this group photo was taken. The leader of the Afghan team, Sardar Mahmoud Farouk Siraj, is seen sixth from left (front row at). At the extreme right is seen Mr. A. S. De’Mello, Honorary Secretary, National Sports Club of India. Appearing third from right is Mr. Rameshwar Dayal, Deputy Commissioner, New Delhi. At his right are seen H.E. Dr. Najibullah Khan, Afghan Ambassador to India, and Mr. Mansoor Ali Khan, the Nawab of Pataudi, father of Indian actor, Mr. Saif Ali Khan.
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