India has decided to reopen its embassy in Kabul, upgrading the existing Technical Mission to a full diplomatic establishment. This decision represents a significant step toward re-engaging with Afghanistan, over three years after New Delhi evacuated its diplomatic staff following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced this move after meeting Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on Friday. The talks were cordial and focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, development, and regional security.
Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and stability. He emphasized that New Delhi’s engagement would center on friendship, humanitarian help, and regional peace. “India has always stood by the people of Afghanistan and remains committed to their welfare,” he stated.
India’s decision to reopen its embassy follows increased exchanges with the Taliban administration, mainly through its Technical Mission in Kabul. This mission started in 2022 to oversee humanitarian and development projects. The upgraded mission is expected to enable broader diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people exchanges.
During the meeting, Jaishankar and Muttaqi discussed cooperation in health, education, and connectivity. India announced a new assistance package that includes 20 ambulances, medical equipment like MRI and CT scan machines, vaccines, and essential medicines. Six new health-related projects will also launch in Afghanistan under India’s development partnership.
Addressing Muttaqi, Jaishankar said, “Your visit marks an important step in advancing India-Afghanistan ties. As a well-wisher of the Afghan people, India has a deep interest in your development. Today, I reaffirm that our long-standing partnership, which has supported numerous Indian projects in Afghanistan, continues to stand strong.”
“India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan. Closer cooperation between us supports your national development and regional stability. To promote that, I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India,” he added.
Muttaqi welcomed India’s renewed engagement and referred to New Delhi as a “close friend.” He ensured that Afghanistan’s territory would not be used against any other country and expressed interest in increasing trade and investment, particularly in mining and energy.
The Afghan minister also thanked India for its quick humanitarian response after the recent earthquake in Afghanistan.
Diplomatic observers view the reopening of the Indian Embassy as a careful but confident step, signaling that New Delhi is ready to take on a more visible role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and regional diplomacy, while considering security issues.
This visit by Amir Khan Muttaqi marks the first high-level engagement between the two countries since the Taliban returned to power. It could pave the way for a new phase in India-Afghanistan relations. Muttaqi's visit from October 9-16 is the first high-level delegation from Kabul to New Delhi since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
