The Indian government has signaled a significant step in its evolving engagement with Afghanistan, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announcing the decision to upgrade the existing Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of a full-fledged Embassy. For the unversed, India had closed its Embassy in Kabul after the Taliban seized power following the withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces in 2021, but opened a technical mission a year later.
The announcement to give the Technical Mission the status of a full-fledged Embassy came during a bilateral meeting with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, marking the first visit by a top Taliban diplomat to India since the group’s return to power in 2021.
The EAM’s meeting with Muttaqi in New Delhi is the first high-level diplomatic engagement between the two countries since the Taliban took power in 2021 after the withdrawal of US troops. Jaishankar welcomed the Afghan Foreign Minister and his delegation to India, saying the visit marked a step “in advancing” ties between both countries.
“We had opportunities to speak with each other during the Pahalgam attack and earthquakes in Afghanistan,” Jaishankar said.
EAM Jaishankar emphasized India’s continued dedication to the “sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan” and its interest in boosting trade, commerce, and development projects. He said that “closer cooperation” between India and Afghanistan would contribute to “regional stability and resilience.” “As a contiguous neighbour and a well-wisher of the Afghan people, India has a deep interest in your development and progress,” Jaishankar added.
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